Pernell Whitaker and Buddy McGirt both said they were the two best fighters in the world.
At the end of their rematch Saturday night at the Scope, both would certainly agree that Whitaker is No. 1.The WBC welterweight champion, nicknamed "Sweet Pea," got up from a second-round knockdown to put on a beautiful display of boxing and power-punching and won a lopsided unanimous decision over McGirt before 9,150 hometown fans.
A computer analysis of the fight showed that Whitaker landed 163 of 460 jabs and 167 of 348 power punches. McGirt, meanwhile, could land only 59 of 230 jabs and 95 of 274 power punches.
"He was the better man," McGirt said. "He did what he had to do."
Judge Chuck Giampa scored it 117-113, Rudy Ortega 118-112 and Steve Weisfeld had it 117-110, all for Whitaker.
Now that Whitaker has settled the issue with McGirt beyond doubt, he would like to take care of Julio Cesar Chavez, with whom he fought a majority 12-round draw Sept. 10, 1993 at San Antonio.
"There's really nothing more I can do but get the Chavez fight," he said. "If I don't get the Chavez fight, there will be other considerations, however."
The victory for Whitaker was his 34th against one loss and a draw. He has 15 knockouts. The win extended his unbeaten streak to 20 fights and it was his 13th victory in 15 championship bouts.
McGirt had a five-fight win streak stopped. His record is 64-4-1 with 44 knockouts.
Whitaker, a former undisputed lightweight and IBF junior lightweight champion, earned $2.5 million.
McGirt, also a former IBF junior welterweight champion, got $600,000.