Boxing

James (Buddy) McGirt successfully defended his World Boxing Council welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Genaro Leon in New York. In the first 30 seconds of the 12th round, Leon landed two crushing rights to the jaw that almost knocked McGirt down, but McGirt was able to escape. The victory set up a defense against Pernell Whitaker, the International Boxing Federation junior-welterweight champion March 6 in New York.

McGirt scored often with left jabs, right-hand leads and right-hand counters, but while Leon’s face showed the marks of battle, he never appeared close to going down.

McGirt is 59-2-1; Leon is 42-3-2.