Pernell Whitaker (40-4-1, 17 KOs) has died. At approximately 10:00pm Sunday night, Whitaker was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross an intersection. A few minutes later, he was gone.
Known as “Sweet Pea,” Whitaker was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006. He was a 4-division champion, who also took home Olympic Gold for the U.S. in the 1984 Olympics. Revered many times over as boxing’s best defensive fighter, Whitaker fought some of the best names in the sport: Julio Caesar Chavez, Sr., Oscar De la Hoya, Azumah Nelson, Felix Trinidad, Wilfredo Rivera, James “Buddy” McGirt, Rafael Piñeda, Jose Luis Ramirez, and more.
Highly regarded by most as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world just before Roy Jones, Jr.’s (66-9, 47 KOs) run, Whitaker won his first belt at Lightweight in 1989. He would go on to become the undisputed Lightweight Champion after his win over Juan Nazario (25-4, 17 KOs) 18 mths later. After successfully defending all three belts four times, Whitaker then moved up in weight to Super Lightweight / Jr. Welterweight in 1992 and quickly picked up the IBF strap from Rafael Piñeda (38-6, 31 KOs). Less than a year later, he would move up again and win the WBC Welterweight Championship from James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6, 48 KOs). Whitaker would defend that belt eight times before losing a very controversial decision to then-unbeaten, future Hall of Famer, Oscar De la Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs). During that stretch, “Sweet Pea” once again stepped up in weight and beat Julio Caesar Vazquez (68-13, 43 KOs) to take home the WBA Super Welterweight Championship to earn a belt in his fourth division.
Whitaker will long be remembered as one of the greatest pure boxers in the history of the sport and will be talked about for generations to come as a very gifted athlete. This reporter will remember him for his courage to fight the best – even outside of his comfort zone – and as the absolute #1 best defensive fighter in the long, storied history of boxing. We here at the Fighting News offer our condolences to the entire Whitaker family. May he rest In peace:
Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker:
01/02/1964 — 07/14/2019
-Mike Feinberg
TFN Reporter
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