It was simple. Pernell Whitaker had Buddy McGirt outnumbered.
Whitaker won his third world championship Saturday night with a unanimous decision over McGirt, who lost his WBC welterweight title because he couldn't use his most powerful punch - the left hook."My arm went. What can I say?" McGirt said.
With the victory, Whitaker laid claim to the title of best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Come September, it looks like he'll have to prove it, though.
Promoter Don King said before the fight that win or lose, he would give Whitaker a shot against undefeated Julio Cesar Chavez, probably in the fall, and probably in San Antonio.
Whitaker threw many combinations and, fighting out of a left-handed stance, did most of his damage early.
McGirt, who has had a chronic tendinitis problem in his left shoulder for four years, finished with a flurry in the 11th and 12th rounds but was unable to capitalize.
Judge Chuck Giampa scored it 115-113, judge Rudy Ortega had it 115-114 and Dalby Shirley had it 117-111, all for Whitaker.