VERO BEACH, Florida (September 16, 2007) – Two weeks into his first training camp in Vero Beach with new trainer James “Buddy” McGirt, Irish heavyweight champion Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride is even more confident of beating Andrew Golota in their October 6 crossroads fight at Madison Square Garden..
“The big difference so far is Buddy is helping to increase my speed,” McBride reported. “He pushes me and keeps me on my toes. If my hands drop, Buddy’s on me to get them up. Even when he’s sitting in his office, he somehow knows exactly what I’m doing at all times in the gym. He believes in me. Buddy told me I have great power and I that I need to utilize it the right way. It’s hot down here but I love it. He’s getting the best out of me and people are going to see the real Kevin McBride –‘The Clones Colossus’ – on October 6th.
“I’m going to put an end to Andrew Golota’s career just like I did to Mike Tyson. I won’t pick which round, but I’m going to knock out Golota. There’s going to be two big giants in the Madison Square Garden ring. Kevin Martin McBride is going to be like James J. Braddock in ‘Cinderella Man.’ What’s past, is past and my new manager, Jerry ‘The Mighty’ Quinn, put together a great new team for me. I’m 34 now and in my prime. One punch can change the chapter and it’s going to be my punch not Golota’s.”
McGirt, the former world champion and Trainer of the Year, feels that McBride’s best days are ahead of him, starting Oct. 6 against Golota.
“Kevin’s really underrated,” Buddy explained. “He’s more special than he’s shown and a very hard worker. McBride’s a strong SOB and I really like his work ethic. To beat Golota he has to keep his balance and not throw one punch at a time.”
McBride (34-5-1, 29 KOs), born in Clones and fighting out of Boston, is continuing his nearly lifelong journey to become the first Ireland-born heavyweight champion of the world.
“I’m hungry for glory to fulfill my dream of becoming the first Irish-born heavyweight champ of the world,” the 6’ 6” McBride added. “Golota’s in my way of achieving my dream. I’m in better shape – mentally, physically and spiritually – than I’ve ever been for a fight in my life, even better than for the Tyson fight. It’s because of my new team. I have all of the natural ability to become world champion. Now, I’m also a mean, lean fighting machine. I want all of my Irish fans to be there to watch the legacy of Kevin McBride with ‘The Mighty’ Quinn and Buddy McGirt in my corner.”