James McGirt vs. Howard Davis Jr.

James McGirt 138 lbs beat Howard Davis Jr 140 lbs by KO at 2:45 in round 1 of 15

• Date: 1988-07-31
• Location: Felt Forum, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Joe Santarpia
• Judge: Luis Rivera
• Judge: Al Reid
• Judge: Nick Cimino

• International Boxing Federation Junior Welterweight Title (1st defense by McGirt)

Notes

• Davis was a substitute for Meldrick Taylor. McGirt and Taylor were originally scheduled to fight on June 12, 1988, in Chicago. McGirt, however, came down with tendinitis in his left elbow, and when the fight was rescheduled for July 30 at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum, Taylor's handlers said scheduling conflicts made it impossible for him to fight.
• McGirt vs. Davis was televised live by ABC.
• Davis was knocked out with a right hand to the jaw. It was the first knockout loss of his career.

Newspaper Articles

• "McGirt, Davis Meet Sunday" Associated Press, July 29, 1988
• "McGirt Knocks Out Davis in Round 1" New York Times, August 1, 1988