North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Township Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Danny “Little Mac” McDermott for his well-deserved induction into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame during the commission meeting on Wednesday, April 19. In addition to Mayor Sacco and Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Allen Pascual, Frank Gargiulo, and Julio Marenco were McDermott’s friends, family, and other supporters.
“Danny’s dedication, hard work, and remarkable talent have made him an inspiration to many, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes in our community and beyond. He has inspired generations of young athletes and left an indelible mark on the world of boxing,” said Mayor Sacco.
The protégé of the late, great hall of fame boxing champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, Danny McDermott held the WBU Super Lightweight world championship and the WBC Silver Super Lightweight Asia title from 2014 to 2016. Defeating Ronnell Esparras in the Philippines in 2014 distinguished McDermott as the first North Bergen native to win a title since James J. Braddock in 1936, and his victory made him the first American to win a world title in the Philippines.
McDermott has fought in Madison Square Garden, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, and traveled the world facing such fighters as Italian lightweight champion Floriano Pagliara, who McDermott KO’d in two rounds. Trained early on in his career by legendary trainer Buddy McGirt, McDermott’s professional career lasted 19 bouts before he transitioned to training aspiring fighters.
Arturo Gatti hired McDermott as his chief sparring partner when Gatti prepared for Leonard Dorin, Jesse James Leija, Floyd Mayweather, and Carlos Baldomier. McDermott was also the chief sparring partner for Junior Jones when he won his world title fight against Marco Antonio Barrera. The list of world champions that McDermott has sparred with includes Bones Adams, Gerry Penolosa, Paul Malignaggi, Yuri Foreman, Ivan Robinson, Vivian Harris, and Macho Camacho.
“As a Hall of Fame boxer and ambassador for our town, Danny brings great pride to North Bergen,” added Recreation Commissioner Hugo Cabrera. “His accomplishments serve as a shining example to us all, and we are proud to call him a native son.”
McDermott is still active in the sport, as he runs and operates Little Mac Boxing in North Bergen. He and his gym hosted the New Jersey Golden Gloves finals on April 15 at the North Bergen Recreation Center, and he is routinely seen around New York and New Jersey training fighters for competitions and helping his clients get in shape and live healthy lifestyles.
McDermott started the Little Mac Youth boxing program, which serves kids in several New York and New Jersey communities, and runs the township’s recreational boxing program. He was also responsible for spearheading the statue projects for James J. Braddock in North Bergen as well as Arturo Gatti and Mike Tyson in Atlantic City.
