Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker, One of the All-Time Greats, Olympic boxing champions men's lightweight, Pan American Champions in Boxing Men's Lightweight, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pernell_Whitaker&oldid=1149470046, International Boxing Federation champions, Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in boxing, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers, AIBA World Boxing Championships medalists, World light-welterweight boxing champions, World light-middleweight boxing champions, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 13:03. Ring Magazine named him the Fight of the Year in 1989. I could watch hours and hours of him. Where Tyson was a savage wrecking ball, Whitaker was smooth and an untouchable thief in the night.Im a scientist now, Im not a boxer.RIP Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker pic.twitter.com/JKj4yoFKiC, We have just received the sad news informing us that Pernell Whitaker has passed. SMH RIP SWEET PEA you will for ever be one of the greatest to ever lace em up. In January, 1997, Whitaker put his title on the line against Cuban fighter Diosbelys Hurtado. Whitaker appeared to win handily, but while one judge scored the fight 115-113 for Whitaker, two others scored it 115-115, resulting in a majority draw that remains perhaps the most controversial decision in boxing history. The pro-boxer died at the age of 55 after hitting by a car in Virginia. He added: I mentally and physically beat him. I cant really say how Im feeling because Im feeling shocked. [29], Pernell had personal struggles and in June 2002 was convicted of cocaine possession after a judge found he violated the terms of a previous sentence by overdosing on cocaine in March. Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. February 27, 2014. His youngest son, Devon, described his father as a cool guy on Monday. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. TMZ Sports provided details from the autopsy Tuesday and noted investigators don't believe alcohol, drugs or speed were factors, with one official calling the death a "horrible accident.". He also remained active in Norfolk and spoke at city council meetings on behalf of the residents in support of community improvements. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019.[27]. He retired after being stopped, his shoulder injured, in the fourth round of a fight against Carlos Bojorquez in 2001. Outside of the Virginia courtroom where the eviction proceedings took place, he called the ruling in his favor "a beautiful moment. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Pernell Whitaker: Bio, Family, Education. Also, Whitaker was known for his outstanding defensive skills who applied a consistent offense which makes it difficult for his opponents to hit with a solid punch. Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker was killed Sunday night after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, TMZ Sports has learned. 7:26 AM PT -- Pernell took a photo with Floyd Mayweather at an autograph show they were both appearing at in Virginia on the day before he died. Whitaker (40-4-1, 17 KOs) might have had four losses and a draw on his record, but to many, he lost only twice, in the final two bouts of his career: a one-sided decision to then-prime welterweight world titleholder Felix Trinidad and a fourth-round stoppage loss to Carlos Bojorquez when Whitaker suffered a broken clavicle. I couldnt have performed better.. SMH RIP SWEET PEA you will for ever be one of the greatest to ever lace em up. Rate Pernell Whitakers Career from 1-10 #fight #ko #tko #streetfight #knockout #mma #ufc #fitness #excercise #brutal #sport #punch #punches #belator #pernellwhitaker #workout #heavyweight #strength #boxing #power #miketyson #royjonesjr #train #motivation #combat #conormcgregor #anthonyjoshua , A post shared by Pernell Whitaker Fan Page (@pernellwhitakerr) on Feb 11, 2018 at 3:08pm PST. [16][17] The win set up a showdown with undefeated 1992 Olympic gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya. R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it. There's no doubt.". . The driver was not cited -- though we're told that person is cooperating with authorities. It has garnered over 800 reactions, nearly 300 shares and many comments of support. Where Tyson was a savage wrecking ball, Whitaker was smooth and an untouchable thief in the night. He was a four-weight world champion, having won titles at lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight; the undisputed lightweight title; and the lineal lightweight and welterweight titles. The house was always listed under Whitakers name and as there was no written lease or deed of gift, the sons oral promise to his mother is not enforceable under Virginia law, Gould said. Whitaker is survived by his 5 children. Pernell Whitaker, an Olympic gold medallist and four division champion who was regarded as one of the greatest defensive fighters ever, has died after being hit by a car in Virginia. Whitaker was not boxing on the show, but his Olympic teammates and good buddies Holyfield, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor and Tyrell Biggs were. After the fights, we dropped the ropes, and they got married in the ring. Whitaker is survived by three of his four children with Anthony -- Pernell Jr. died a few years ago -- and a daughter from a previous relationship. Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Baumgardner do enough to overtake Serrano? "From Olympic gold to world championships in four weight divisions, Pernell Whitaker was one of the greatest boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves," Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said. Main Events promoter Kathy Duva, whose company promoted Whitaker throughout his career and who remained close to Whitaker after his retirement, mourned his death. The cover of Sports Illustrated days later showed a photo of Whitaker landing a punch with the headline "Robbed!". Known as "Sweet Pea," Whitaker, a southpaw from Norfolk, Virginia, was revered as perhaps the best defensive fighter in history, and his slick moves confounded opponent after opponent. He currently holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history at six title defenses. Whitaker also trained former IBF world champion Paul Spadafora between 2009 and 2010 for 3 fights in which Spadafora won all three. Caption: Pernell Whitaker, late American professional boxer. He was 55. Before his professional career, Whitaker won a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Pernell Whitaker was born on Jan. 2, 1964, in Norfolk, Va., one of seven children of Raymond and Novella Whitaker. He was one of the greatest boxers of all time. Whereas the boxer was sentenced dead at the spot. In 2002, The Ring ranked him tenth in their list of "The 100 Greatest Fighters of the Last 80 Years". According to reports, he was a pedestrian and while crossing the street in Virginia Beach, he was struck and killed by a vehicle and the driver remained on there. He was not a particularly hard puncher or knockout artist, but applied a consistent offense while being extremely elusive and difficult for his opponents to hit with a solid punch. Pernell's lawyers said that he is not making the same kind of money as a trainer that he was as a boxer, and needed to sell off the home to satisfy the tax debt owed in order to prevent the property from being seized and put into foreclosure. DIED 2019 PERNELL WHITAKER OBITUARY Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was a boxing legend who was considered one of the best boxers pound for pound in the history of the sport. [2] He had six siblings, two brothers, Raymond Whitaker, Jr, Raynell Whitaker; and four sisters; Zelda Brown, Sylvonia Whitaker, Lucinda Manley, and Monique Williams. welterweight champion, was scuttled when Whitaker again tested positive for cocaine. "We thought, hey, here's an idea, but we can't actually do that, can we?" He was small in statue but yet so big in heart and skills inside the ring, there will never be another like him, he will truly be missed pic.twitter.com/IqmXkqpqkG. pic.twitter.com/Zsgqa66FKF, When Pernell Whitaker was world champion from lightweight to light middleweight, he was something special. This was a highly controversial decision (considered one of the worst ever by many analysts), as most boxing observers felt that Whitaker easily won.[6][7][8]. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. His. Pernell's passing is a great loss. He said to ABC News affiliate WVEC-TV that it was a beautiful moment.. #PernellWhitaker pic.twitter.com/IZv3IQOo2f, It was an honor to share the ring with him. His fall from grace and solvency involved numerous incidences of drug abuse and a history of arrests and run-ins with police. Legendary boxer, Pernell Whitaker passed away Sunday after being hit by a car. American boxing legend, Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker died at the age of 55 Sunday after being struck by a car in Virginia Beach. We send our condolences to his family, as well as his extended family at Main Events and throughout the boxing community.". He also won a gold medal as a lightweight at the 1984 Olympics. Whitaker won titles in the lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight divisions. In 1992, he began his ascent in weight, winning the IBF light welterweight title from Colombian puncher Rafael Pineda on July 18. world super lightweight title under Whitakers tutelage. "I loved Pernell Whitaker, and he loved me -- there was no doubt . Waking up to this news just has me GUTTED. In the eyes of many of the spectators, Whitaker outboxed the Mexican legend. But unfortunately, he had a car accident in which he lost his life on the spot in Virginia Street on 14 July 2019. Examined. Max Kellerman talks about Pernell Whitaker's legacy in the boxing world after Whitaker's death Sunday night. Whitaker had an extensive amateur boxing career, having started at the age of nine. Bauder said in a statement. His survivors include his sons, Devon, Dominique and Dantavious, and his daughter, Tiara. Boxing community reacts to tragic death of Pernell Whitaker, Pernell Whitaker diedafter being struck by a vehicle. He was 55. I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night.We share so many great memories. During his retirement, Whitaker dabbled as a trainer and remained close to Duva and her staff at Main Events. Whitaker, known as Sweet Pea or Pete, was an elusive fighter who deftly avoided being hit, or hurt, by his opponents. Upon hearing thetragic news that Pernell Whitaker diedafter being struck by a vehicle while crossing the streetin Virginia Beachon Sunday, members of the boxing community paid tribute to thelegend known as "Sweet Pea. On August 11, 1990, he knocked out Juan Nazario in one round to win the WBA and vacant lineal lightweight titles,[9] becoming the first Undisputed Lightweight Champion since Roberto Durn. Whitaker was also the trainer for heavyweight Calvin Brock who, as recently as November 2006, fought for the IBF and IBO titles against Wladimir Klitschko, wherein Brock was knocked out in the 7th round. Pernell married Rovanda Anthony on December 21, 1985 in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. Apparently, back taxes were owed on the house and Pernell said that neither his mother nor his siblings, who also stayed in the house, were doing anything to help keep the house afloat financially. Whitaker's youngest son, Devon Whitaker, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that his dad was a "cool guy. Kathy Duva, the chief executive of Main Events, which promoted Whitakers fights, recalled telephone conversations between Whitaker and her husband, Dan, the president of Main Events, who died in 1996. Boxing legend Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker dead at 55. He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. ABC News' calls to a number listed for Pernell Whitaker went unanswered today. He would smile at you and demonstrate to you, while smiling, how remarkably easy this was for him.. Pernell Whitaker, a longtime pound-for-pound king and one of the greatest boxers in history, was killed Sunday night when he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Whitaker had been going head to head against the matriarch of his seven-child family since last fall when he began eviction proceedings after unsuccessfully trying to convince his mother to move, his lawyer, Bruce Gould told ABC News. In 2010, Whitaker was inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, honoring those who have contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia. His first fighter, Dorin Spivey fought matches in 2006. De La Hoya also paid tribute to his rival. The house started to gather back taxes and since Whitaker could no longer afford it, he had to take action. Whitaker and Anthony, who are now divorced, had four children Domonique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. pic.twitter.com/gqf41jo6IO, This man was one of the greatest boxers ever to lace up gloves, loved watching him growing, defensive savant and as brave as they come. [19][20][21], Whitaker's next bout was against Russian-born fighter Andrey Pestryayev in a world title elimination fight, where the winner would earn an automatic #1 contender spot for the WBA Welterweight crown, held at the time by Ike Quartey. During his welterweight reign, Whitaker made a one-fight jump to junior middleweight and outpointed Julio Cesar Vasquez in 1995 to win a title in his fourth division. Also, he made national headlines in 2014 when he evicted his mother out of the house he bought in 1984 for her after winning a gold medal. Source: Business Insider. Hell be a son forever until death do us part, but he is putting a rip through the family, said Whitakers eldest sister, Zelda Brown. Name: Pernell Whitaker Alias: Sweet Pea Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia, USA Birthplace: Norfolk, Virginia, USA Died: 2019-07-14 (Age:55) Stance: Southpaw Height: 168cm Reach: 175cm Pro Boxer: Record . Condolences to his family. Im going to get married in there, Whitaker said. Gould also mentioned that Whitakers money has been drying up since he retired from professional fighting. An autopsy stated that the cause of Whitaker's death was "multiple blunt force trauma.". Whitaker trudged on, winning a decision over Greg Haugen for the IBF Lightweight title on February 18, 1989, becoming the first boxer to knock Haugen down by sending him to the mat in the sixth round. Pernell Whitaker was born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 2, 1964, the son of Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Shortly after winning his Olympic Gold Medal in 1984, Whitaker celebrated by buying his mother a home in the town he grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. Whitaker, who won gold medals at the 1983 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics, turned pro in 1984 and went on to cement himself as an American boxing legend. Hurtado gave Whitaker all he could handle and then some. Sixteen months later, Whitaker returned, but he was a shell of himself against Trinidad. He jumped at it, and Rovanda loved it also. He then beat Rafael Pineda for the I.B.F. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Its significantly diminished over the years and hes not able to maintain this $400,000 house for his mother and siblings to live in.. He was only 55. "Everyone at the Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing and offers our condolences to his family.". Pernell Whitaker, an Olympic gold medalist and four division champion who was regarded as one of the greatest defensive fighters ever, has died after being hit by a car in Virginia. He had 214 amateur fights, winning 201, 91 of them by knockouts, though he said that he had up to 500 amateur fights. No matter what he was going through, Pete had a great heart. Read about fighters likeJorge Masvidal,Nate Diaz,Kevin Lee (Fighter),Dave Rienzi. Whitaker, who made his professional debut on ABC with several of his Olympic teammates at Madison Square Garden in New York and eventually became a staple on HBO, moved up to junior welterweight in 1992 and outpointed Rafael Pineda to win a 140-pound world title. A loss to Carlos Bojorquez in April 2001 was his final match. Whitaker had been scheduled to fight on a nationally televised card with four other former Olympians Mark Breland, Tyrell Biggs, Meldrick Taylor and Evander Holyfield on that day in the mid-1980s, but the boxing legend had other plans. We ended up paying for the wedding and had the reception after the show at the fight hotel.". Loved him. Loved him. A grandson of Mrs. Whitaker, former NFL player Ronyell Whitaker, has also come forward to offer his assistance to his grandmother and make sure she is cared for. On Wednesday, a Norfolk General District Court judge ruled in Whitakers favor, ordering Novella Whitaker and two other children and their families also living in the home to leave the house by March 31. "Pernell Whitaker was beautiful -- both as a fighter and as a human being," HBO, his longtime television home, broadcasting 19 of his fights, said in a statement. We share so many great memories. Legendary boxer Pernell Whitaker suffered "multiple blunt-force injuries" leading to his death at the age of 55 after being struck by a car while walking Sunday night in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Im praying for his family during this difficult time. Whitaker successfully defended his WBC belt against Scotland's Gary Jacobs on August 26, 1995. In 2014, a Norfolk General District Court judge ruled in Whitakers favor, forcing his mother and siblings out of the house by the end of March of the same year. Following the loss to De La Hoya, Whitaker outpointed Andrey Pestriev but tested positive for cocaine, and the result was changed to a no decision. Click Agree to accept our use of cookies or you can choose to opt out of our use of cookies by following the instructions in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice. He had black eyes and black hair color. During his lightweight title reign, Whitaker defeated fellow future Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson by clear decision and stopped Juan Nazario by rare first-round knockout to become the undisputed champion. pic.twitter.com/sa4qZIDIIG, Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. [24], On February 20, 1999, Whitaker suffered his first convincing defeat against the much bigger, much fresher Flix Trinidad, gamely taking the Puerto Rican the distance in an attempt to win Trinidad's IBF welterweight title. As an amateur, Whitaker won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championships, followed by gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and 1984 Olympics. The fight was much closer than what the scorecards showed, and many observers felt that Whitaker won the fight. Two fights later, Whitaker avenged the draw against Ramirez by winning a unanimous decision to retain the title. I could watch hours and hours of him. Source: Business Insider. [18], For his part, De La Hoya wasn't too pleased with his own performance against Whitaker and had hinted at a possible rematch to prove that he could do better against him. They offered contrasting styles: Whitaker was mobile and slippery, Chavez an aggressive attacker. He posted a 40-1-1 record across his first 42 fights before failing to win any of his final four bouts, a stretch that featured three losses and a no-contest. He drew some news media attention in 2014 when he got into a dispute with his mother, leading him to evict her from the house he had bought her in Norfolk because she was not paying for its upkeep. In December 2005 Whitaker became a boxing trainer in his home state of Virginia. [10], Whitaker was gaining momentum and boxing experts and fans felt that he needed to win against the pound for pound best boxer in the world: Julio Csar Chvez. Im a scientist now, Im not a boxer. A planned fight in 1998 against Ike Quartey, then the W.B.A. Let us scroll over to know more about his personal details. He then added the vacant WBC & The Ring belts by avenging his loss to Ramirez on August 20. "I'm going to surviveI'm a survivor..I'm going with my daughtershe is taking me in," said Novella Whitaker told WVEC. Whitaker, defending his WBC championship and the mythical status as the best boxer in the world, pound for pound, succeeded in making De La Hoya look bad through his crafty defense, but he was unable to mount a sufficient offense to convince the judges. This photo was taken 7/13/19. When Kathy Duva heard Hall of Fame boxer Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was killed Sunday night after being hit by a car in Virginia Beach, Va., her first thought was, "I hate July." Whitaker's. Whitaker, the former lightweight, entered the ring at 155 pounds. He was 55. Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. He had inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Feb. 27, 2014— -- Former welterweight boxing champ Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker's latest battle was a court fight to evict his mother from her house and he described his court victory as a "beautiful moment.". He won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. "Hes not happy that it was necessary to go to court," Gould said. Mark Lelinwalla is a contributing writer and editor for DAZN News. pic.twitter.com/sa4qZIDIIG, Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. Further, he holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history to date with six title defenses. He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. Now a champion, Whitaker proceeded to dominate boxing's middle divisions over the first half of the 1990s. Hell be a son forever until death do us part, but he is putting a rip through the family, Whitakers eldest sister, Zelda Brown told ABC News. Whitaker won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a professional. He had up to 500 amateur fights but finished with 214 amateur fights winning with 201 and 91 of them knockouts.
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