His problems continued in retirement, when he survived a cocaine overdose and in 2002 was convicted of cocaine possession. Source: Business Insider. WBC: Bivol not eligible for belt due to sanctions, Diaz surrenders to New Orleans police after brawl, Paul launches series for up-and-coming boxers, Ramirez to defend WBO title vs. Shimizu in July, IBA upset by 'rogue' boxing group as U.S. quits, Sources: Anderson-Kossobutskiy to meet July 1. I always wanted a church wedding, Anthony said, but since we cant seem to keep Pete out of the boxing ring, I guess this is the best place.. Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time.[5]. Outside the Virginia court, he said the ruling in his favor a beautiful moment. R.I.P. Loved him. https://t.co/pZZEceN7h2, I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. Thats all I can say about him, he told the Virginian Pilot newspaper. But unfortunately, he had a car accident in which he lost his life on the spot in Virginia Street on 14 July 2019. [28] The couple later divorced. The 5'6" Virginia native had remarkable quickness and nearly unmatched ring awareness. Boxing legend Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker dies in Virginia Beach accident WAVY TV 10 66K views 3 years ago EXCLUSIVE Pernell Whitaker: I'M The GREATEST Defensive Fighter EVER!! The draw let Whitaker hold onto the title, and he won his next eight fights, including one that brought him the World Boxing Association super welterweight title. #Boxing has lost one of its best and Ive lost a friend. Early on, Vasquez was the aggressor, and scored a flash knockdown on Whitaker in the 4th round; but Whitaker settled in & used his accuracy and defense to take over and outpoint Vasquez en route to a unanimous decision win. Speaking of his persona life, he had married Rovanda Anthony. He currently holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history at six title defenses. 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. Teofimo Lopez wants to leave a Muhammad Ali-like legacy, Pain, hope, science collide as athletes turn to magic mushrooms, How a gym in California's Coachella Valley became an international destination for boxing. By David K. Li. During his professional career, he had 40 wins, 17 knockouts, four losses and one draw, per CNN. RIP Sweet Pea. Pernell Whitaker is legally having his mother evicted from a home she's been living in since 1984. [25] In the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds the fighters exchanged combinations. Hes not happy that it was necessary to go to court, his lawyer Bruce Gould told ABC News. After the fights, we dropped the ropes, and they got married in the ring. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Pernell Whitaker - Can't Be Touched https://t.co/VlhdiThsAt via @YouTube, The thing about Sweet Pea was that he was the antithesis of Mike Tyson in the boxing ring. [16][17] The win set up a showdown with undefeated 1992 Olympic gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya. Who has the edge? This is insanely sad. 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 https://t.co/IqmXkqpqkG. 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. Boxing community reacts to tragic death of Pernell Whitaker, Pernell Whitaker diedafter being struck by a vehicle. In addition, he won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and 1983 Pan American Games. 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. Whitaker was a legendary boxer who multiple titles in. Following the fight, he announced his retirement and recorded his professional career with 40-4-1 with 17 knockouts. Whitaker now intends to sell the house to retain the $150,000 of equity in the home to recoup $18,000 in overdue taxes he paid on the building on behalf of his mother and two siblings living there, his lawyer said. Whitaker, trained by the longtime team of Lou Duva and George Benton and managed by Shelly Finkel, won his first world title at lightweight by outpointing Greg Haugen in 1989. We share so many great memories. A ghetto beating.. In just his eleventh and twelfth pro bouts, Whitaker defeated former world champion Alfredo Layne on December 20, 1986 and former WBA and lineal Super Featherweight and WBC Light Welterweight title holder Roger Mayweather on March 28, 1987. across the cover and they believed that Whitaker had won no less than 9 of the 12 rounds in the fight. 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. Here's what you need to know about his family. This was a history making fight for Whitaker, as he became only the fourth fighter in history - joining Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roberto Durn - to have won a legitimate world title in four different weight classes. His survivors include his sons, Devon, Dominique and Dantavious, and his daughter, Tiara. He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. Felix Trinidad throws a punch during a fight against Pernell Whitaker. Pernell Whitaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has died after being hit by a car. A street fighter as a youngster, he learned to box at a local recreation center. Whitaker won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a professional. On March 6, 1993, he decisioned Buddy McGirt to become the Lineal and WBC Welterweight Champion. On behalf of everyone at Golden Boy, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and friends.". He won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. The two met in a welterweight superfight simply named "The Fight"[11] on September 10, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas. This photo was taken 7/13/19. Divisional rankings: Where do Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia land after their megafight? He added: I mentally and physically beat him. No matter what he was going through, Pete had a great heart. Whitaker's youngest son, Devon Whitaker, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that his dad was a "cool guy." . 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. He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. [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. "I'm going to surviveI'm a survivor..I'm going with my daughtershe is taking me in," said Novella Whitaker told WVEC. He was also regarded as one of the best defensive boxers of all time. welterweight title. He earned money at autograph shows as well. Three months after the Olympics, he and several other members of the United States boxing team, among them Evander Holyfield and Mark Breland, made their professional debuts at Madison Square Garden in New York. He was 55. In January, 1997, Whitaker put his title on the line against Cuban fighter Diosbelys Hurtado. . As an amateur, Whitaker went 201-14 and not only took home gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics but also won gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 1982 World Championships when he was 18. "I loved Pernell Whitaker, and he loved me -- there was no doubt," Duva, whose late husband, Dan, signed Whitaker out of the amateurs along with several 1984 U.S. Olympians, told ESPN. Im going to get married in there, Whitaker said. He jumped at it, and Rovanda loved it also. 8:56 AM PT -- TMZ Sports just spoke with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. -- a long time friend of Pernell -- who tells us how much Whitaker meant to boxing and to him personally. With his defensive techniques and skilled counterpunch, he had fought from 1984 to 2001. Whitaker, known as Sweet Pea or Pete, was an elusive fighter who deftly avoided being hit, or hurt, by his opponents. He lost to two-time Olympic Gold medalist ngel Herrera Vera at the final of the World Championships 1982 but beat him four other times, notably in the final of the Pan American Games 1983 in Caracas. But he now has two mortgages on the house and the alternative was if he didnt sell, it was going to go to foreclosure., But outside the courthouse on Wednesday, Whitaker appeared happy with court ruling to evict his mom. His fall from grace and solvency involved numerous incidences of drug abuse and a history of arrests and run-ins with police. When officers arrived on scene they located an adult male victim who had been hit by a vehicle. When cops arrived, they located the man who had been hit by a vehicle who was in really bad shape -- and our sources tell us that man was Pernell Whitaker. His mother, Novella told ABC News she was heartbroken by the decision but mentioned she will be fine because she is a fighter. Whitaker died on July 14, 2019 after being stuck by a vehicle in Virginia Beach, Virginia. What's next for Russia? super lightweight title in 1992 and Buddy McGirt for the World Boxing Council welterweight belt in early 1993. In addition, he also fathered a daughter Tiara Whitaker from his past relationship. Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker has died at the age of 55 after being hit by a car in Virginia. It was the first of Whitakers 15 consecutive victories through 1988, a pace that was slowed temporarily by an injury that kept him from fighting on a card at the Pavilion Convention Center in Virginia Beach in December 1985. 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. Moreover, from the age of nine, he started his training in an amateur boxing career. Whitaker felt like neither his mother or other family members were contributing to the cost of the house, therefore he proceeded with the eviction. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker went from success to struggling. 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. The victim succumbed to his injuries on the scene, a Virginia Beach Police Department spokesman said in a statement. Main Events was promoting a card at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. Pernell Whitaker (right) during his victory over Anthony Jones in Las Vegas in 1991. A Virginia judge ruled that Pernell Whitaker's mother must vacate a home she's been living in since 1984. They brought him to events and scheduled him for personal appearances and autograph signings. He was 55. . The ceremony took place after five eigh-round matches ended. " C4TV" - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSZMLlUrPISUCxiDsnFVPwPernell Whitaker (born January 2 . (modern). Pernell Whitaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has died after being hit by a car. Source: Business Insider. 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. The driver was not cited -- though we're told that person is cooperating with authorities. He finished his professional career with an official record of 40-4-1 (17 knockouts). "An artist in the ring, 'Sweet Pea' appeared on our World Championship Boxing platform for a decade [1990-1999], giving fans many unforgettable moments. Cops are investigating. He was 55-years-old. Questions ahead of Paul vs. Diaz: Can Diaz box? Whitaker, the former lightweight, entered the ring at 155 pounds. His fall from grace and solvency involved numerous incidences of drug abuse and a history of arrests and run-ins with police. I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. Im praying for his family during this difficult time. Gould also mentioned that Whitakers money has been drying up since he retired from professional fighting. He retired in 2001 after three defeats in his final four fights with but he was in his prime in the 80s and 90s. Other than this, there is no other information on his parents, siblings, or documented on his education. In his memory, there is an Instagram account @pernellwhitakerr with more than 2k followers. We have just received the sad news informing us that Pernell Whitaker has passed. On July 14, 2019, Whitaker was crossing the street in Virginia Beach, at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road, when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. 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. Whitaker and Chavez, who was 87-0 at the time, were considered two of the greatest boxers, pound for pound, of their day. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. 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. Waking up to this news just has me GUTTED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. On behalf of everyone at Golden Boy, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and friends. Stars Arrive to Fashion's Biggest Night!!! 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, May you Rest In Peace.. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker! Boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Gervonta Davis make the top 10? Where Tyson was a savage wrecking ball, Whitaker was smooth and an untouchable thief in the night. Caption: Pernell Whitaker, late American professional boxer. Pernell Whitaker Wife But he still showed up at the arena to marry his fiance, Rovanda Anthony, in the ring after the evenings last fight. List of boxing cards set for this week, May 2-6, DFB-Pokal: How to watch semifinal matches, Barcelona vs. Osasuna: Preview, how to watch, La Liga Matchday 33 preview, how to watch, Pernell Whitaker diedafter being struck by a vehicle. It's NOT a hit and run situation. "But we said we can ask him, right? Whitaker, who was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, won world titles in four weight classes. pic.twitter.com/pZZEceN7h2. He was the undisputed lightweight world champion and won titles at junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight as one of the dominant forces in boxing for much of the 1980s and 1990s. Pernell Whitaker was an American professional boxer who had his fights from 1984 to 2001. 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. Whitaker was a legendary boxer who multiple titles in several different weight classes. Whitaker was not boxing on the show, but his Olympic teammates and good buddies Holyfield, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor and Tyrell Biggs were. Pernell Whitaker: Bio, Family, Education. He was born as the son to parents Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella Whitaker. Pernell's passing is a great loss. "I loved Pernell Whitaker, and he loved me -- there was no doubt . The cover of Sports Illustrated days later showed a photo of Whitaker landing a punch with the headline "Robbed!". Legendary boxer, Pernell Whitaker passed away Sunday after being hit by a car. During his retirement, Whitaker dabbled as a trainer and remained close to Duva and her staff at Main Events. 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. "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. Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, an Olympic gold medalist, was regarded as one . The couples marriage held in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center on 2 January 1964. 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. He could stand in front of you and you couldnt find him, Jim Lampley, the longtime HBO boxing announcer, said in a phone interview. Whitaker won titles in the lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight divisions. Whitaker was recognized by boxing publication Ring Magazine as Fighter of the Year in 1989 and was ranked as one of the top ten boxers in the past 80 years by the publication. #ripsweetpea pic.twitter.com/un90hPmIO6. In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. Since the glory days, Whitaker has been training young boxers, but work is slowly drying up, according to Gould. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Additionally, he has gained his nickname as Sweet Pea. Police in Virginia Beach on Monday say Whitaker was a pedestrian when struck by the car. On behalf of everyone at Golden Boy, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and friends. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. He had 214 amateur fights, winning 201, 91 of them by knockouts, though he said that he had up to 500 amateur fights. He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. February 27, 2014. Heres what you need to know about Whitakers family: Getty Pernell Whitaker throws a punch at Wilfredo Rivera in a 1996 match. Before his professional career, Whitaker won a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Virginia Beach Police Department confirmed the death, saying he was crossing a street at night when he was hit. He had inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Whitaker and Anthony, who are now divorced, had four children Domonique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. Wow I cant believe this!!! #RipSweetPea https://t.co/TSzFcf5d5Y, Very sad to hear the news about Pernell Whitaker today.RIP Champ. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. We're told officials received a call around 10:04 PM in response to an accident at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road. However, in his last fight with journeyman Carlos Bojorquezz, he broke his clavicle in fourth round which forced him to retire. In the eyes of many of the spectators, Whitaker outboxed the Mexican legend. He also won a gold medal as a lightweight at the 1984 Olympics. R.I.P. Now a champion, Whitaker proceeded to dominate boxing's middle divisions over the first half of the 1990s. In 2002, The Ring ranked him in the list of 10th Greatest Fighter of the Last 80 Years. He had demons, but when he was in the ring, that was when he was in control and when he was happy and when he was the very best at what he did, and he wanted to show that to everybody.". Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker was in the class of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard as one of the most entertaining fighters in my lifetime. Pernell Whitaker was born on Jan. 2, 1964, in Norfolk, Va., one of seven children of Raymond and Novella Whitaker. He then added the vacant WBC & The Ring belts by avenging his loss to Ramirez on August 20. The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced that it would fly its flags at half-staff in Whitaker's memory. Boxing great Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, who won Olympic gold and championship belts in four weight classes, was killed after being struck by a pickup truck in his native . Floyd paid tribute to Pernell on social media saying, "R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it.". Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) July 15, 2019 Whitakers career was recognized by other great boxers and athletes on social media, including Oscar De La Hoya and Magic Johnson. While the decline of speed and agility pushed him into retirement, his knowledge of the ring and competitive boxing's components led him to seek out up-and-coming boxers to train to fight in the manner in which he did. Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. Somebody that Ive always loved to watch and wanted to meet so bad and now it will never happen. Devon and Tiara, while Pernell Jr died in 2015 at the age of 31 following a battle with cancer. In 2010, Whitaker was inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, honoring those who have contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia. Since then, Whitaker went through financial struggles as his career transitioned from professional fighter to boxing trainer. We send our condolences to his family, as well as his extended family at Main Events and throughout the boxing community.". How good will the promotion be? ABC News' calls to a number listed for Pernell Whitaker went unanswered today. He also won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in L.A. From 1993 to 1997 he was considered the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. "Everyone at the Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing and offers our condolences to his family.". A southpaw, Whitaker was known for his outstanding defensive skills and for being a strong counterpuncher. SMH RIP SWEET PEA you will for ever be one of the greatest to ever lace em up. After Whitakers death, his son Domonique took to Facebook to announce his fathers passing. RIP Champ. Ring Magazine named him the Fight of the Year in 1989. His marriage ended in divorce. In 1992, he began his ascent in weight, winning the IBF light welterweight title from Colombian puncher Rafael Pineda on July 18. His first fighter, Dorin Spivey fought matches in 2006. De La Hoya also paid tribute to his rival. The fight secured Whitaker the WBC, IBF and WBA lightweight titles. Outside of the Virginia courtroom where the eviction proceedings took place, he called the ruling in his favor "a beautiful moment. Glad I got to sit next to him at the Ward v Kovalev fight in Las Vegas. Pernell Whitaker was born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 2, 1964, the son of Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella. Former boxing champion Pernell Whitaker has died after he was hit by a car in . Powered by. Sweet Pea has two siblings: a brother, Raymond, Jr., and a sister, Monique. His youngest son, Devon, described his father as a . His son Pernell Jr. died in 2015. Pernell Whitaker Jr Passes Away Today From Rare Cancer Boxing and Basketball 12.9K subscribers Subscribe 12K views 7 years ago Make Sure you hit the Thanks Button Down Below This Channel to. Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF lightweight titles, longest unified lightweight championship reign, "Pernell Whitaker Dead At 55, Boxing Legend Hit By Car", "Floyd Mayweather Jr. and 25 Best Defensive Boxers in History", "Ranking the 15 Worst Judging Decisions in Boxing History", "5 More Of the Worst Decisions in Boxing", "The List: The 10 Worst Decisions in Boxing History", PERNELL WHITAKER V JULIO CEASR CHAVEZ: BOXING'S CONTROVERISAL SCORECARDS, "Julio Cesar Vasquez vs. Pernell Whitaker", Pernell Whitaker vs Julio Cesar Vasquez - HBO World Championship Boxing, "Whitaker, Knocked Down, Comes Back to Knock Out Challenger", "Pernell Whitaker vs Diosbelys Hurtado-part 5/6", OSCAR TIME IT WASN'T AN AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE, BUT OSCAR DE LA HOYA TOOK PERNELL WHITAKER'S WELTERWEIGHT TITLE, "De La Hoya beats Whitaker He takes WBC crown by unanimous decision", "EX-CHAMP WHITAKER COULD FACE 6-MONTH SUSPENSION FOR DRUGS", "Zab Judah continues his personal road to redemption", "Ex-Millionaire Boxer 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker Says Evicting Mom Is 'Beautiful Moment', "Former champion Whitaker hit by car, dies", R.I.P.
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