Three weeks ago, Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters traveled to Vero Beach, Florida for the training camp of world champion Antonio Tarver, hoping to gain valuable experience. Last weekend, he returned home to Minnesota having gained a new trainer in legendary James “Buddy” McGirt.

Walters made the most of his opportunity, impressing McGirt enough for him to want to assist trainer Chuck “Sharky” Horton in guiding Zach’s career. Team Jungle Boy will be in Las Vegas, NV on January 22nd, as Walters and Buddy’s son, James McGirt Jr., are scheduled to fight opponents soon to be determined.

According to Walters, Tarver was very focused for his upcoming fight with Glencoffe Johnson. “Tarver was a pretty serious dude, but definitely a nice guy. When we were sparring, he was definitely serious and meant business. Outside of the ring, he was a very nice guy. He told me that I have everything it takes, I just have to put it together. He gave me props and told me that I have good power. It was cool getting compliments from him.” Horton added, “Antonio was very professional and treated Zach very respectfully.”

As for what the camp did for him, Walters stated, “What I gained from camp is increased confidence in what I’ve been doing. If what I’ve been doing wasn’t working, I would have gotten my butt kicked and been sent home the next day. I had no idea what was going to happen down there. I just went down there to do my best and make the most out of it. I feel that I’m on the right track.”

In regards to his future, Walters looks forward to working with one of the most respected trainers in the game. “Buddy wants to train me. He said that I have good skills and am very teachable,” said Walters. Technically, Horton will be his manager and McGirt will be his trainer, though both will work together on Walter’s boxing future. “Buddy and I went to dinner and agreed on everything,” said Horton. “Zach will be going back down to Florida to train before certain fights. In fact, he will be going back down there on January 2nd to train for his next fight. It’s going to be an 8 rounder. We‘ll know everything else real shortly”

“Buddy is very excited about Zach,” stated Horton. “He said Zach has what it takes to be a world champion. We intend to ride out the rest of Zach‘s career with Buddy, as long as he‘s willing and able.” Walters added, “In the midst of training Tarver for his big fight, and Gatti for his upcoming fight, he still took the time to work with me and give me tips. I thanked him for taking the time to notice me and work with me. I though that was very cool. He told us he was just as excited as we are in working with him.” Also, Team Jungle Boy is mulling over which promotional company to come to terms with.

While sparring with Tarver and working with McGirt, Walters was also able to meet other boxing notables. “I met the Black Rhino (Clifford Etienne), Arturo Gatti, and William Guthrie, who is a former world champion. I played chess with him. They were all very cool guys.” In fact, Walters will see Gatti in Vero Beach again in a few weeks, as
Gatti will be training for his next bout on January 29th again Jesse James Leija.

Next year should be a big year for Walters, as his team has high hopes for 2005. “We are hoping to have a card here in Minnesota in a couple of months,” said Horton. “What I would like to see happen is Zach get 6-8 fights next year, get rated in the top 20, and have 2006 be his breakout year.” Having McGirt in his corner should help, and Walters appears to be a solid candidate for a televised bout soon. Perhaps, Showtime’s popular ShoBox series, which features up and coming prospects, will take notice.

“I’d like to thank my fans for supporting and believing in me,” Walters said in closing. “When you have people believing in you and your dreams, it makes it easier to push through the hard times. I want to thank the Lord for the being with me throughout my career and giving me the talent to box. Since becoming a Christain, there have been so many crazy instances, like this whole boxing with Buddy thing, that have came to pass that I have to give God credit for. What is happening with my life right now is a testamony of what God can do with somebody if you let him.”