| Pernell Whitaker | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Pernell Whitaker |
| Nickname(s) | Sweet Pea |
| Rated at | Welterweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth date | January 2, 1964 |
| Birth place | Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 46 |
| Wins | 40 |
| Wins by KO | 17 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Competitor for  United States |
|||
| Men’s Boxing | |||
| Olympic Games | |||
| Gold | Los Angeles 1984 | Lightweight | |
| World Amateur Championships | |||
| Silver | Munich 1982 | Lightweight | |
Pernell Whitaker (born January 2, 1964), nicknamed "Sweet Pea," is a retired professional boxer, among the greatest of all-time. Welterweight is a Weight class division in combat sports Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in Boxing, but other combat sports like Kickboxing Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Southpaw is a Boxing term that designates the normal stance for a Left-handed boxer The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, Boxing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since its introduction to the program at the 1904 Summer Boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics took place in the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles California. The World Amateur Boxing Championships is the highest competition for boxing amateurs organised by world's governing body AIBA, which stands for the Association International The Men's 1982 World Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Munich, West Germany from May 4 to 15. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Whitaker was the lightweight silver medalist at the 1982 World Championships, followed by the gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics, and then embarked on a pro career in which he became world champion in four different weight divisions. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States LightWeight is a developer of Video games with Samurai themes such as the Bushido Blade series and the Kengo The Men's 1982 World Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Munich, West Germany from May 4 to 15. The Boxing tournament at the 1983 Pan American Games was held in Caracas Venezuela, from August 14 to August 29. The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, Whitaker was known for his outstanding defensive skills, which helped garner him consideration as one of boxing's top pound-for-pound fighters during his prime.
Contents |
Amateur Boxing career
Whitaker had an extensive amateur boxing career, having started at the age of nine. He had 214 amateur fights, winning 201, 91 of them by knockouts, though he says that he has had up to 500 amateur fights. He lost to two-time Olympic Gold medalist Ángel Herrera Vera at the final of the World Championships 1982 but beat him four times, notably in the final of the Pan American Games 1983 in Caracas. Ángel Herrera Vera (born August 2, 1957) is a Cuban boxer, who won two Olympic gold medals and the world title at the second World Championships The Boxing tournament at the 1983 Pan American Games was held in Caracas Venezuela, from August 14 to August 29. He crowned his amateur career with Olympic Gold 1984.
Pro
In just his eleventh and twelfth pro bouts, Whitaker beat solid journeyman Alfredo Layne in December, 1986, and former WBA Super Featherweight world champion Roger Mayweather in March, 1987. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) The World Boxing Association (WBA is a Boxing organization that sanctions official matches and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level Roger Mayweather (born April 24, 1961) is a retired professional boxer. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) On March 12, 1988, he challenged Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC Lightweight Championship in Levallois, France. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) For the murderer see Luis Ramirez. José Luis Ramírez (born March 12 1958) is a Mexican national who The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, He suffered his first pro defeat when the judges awarded a controversial split decision in Ramirez's favor.
Whitaker trudged on, decisioning Greg Haugen for the IBF lightweight title on February 18, 1989, but not before becoming the first boxer to knock Haugen down, dropping him in the sixth round. Greg Haugen turned pro in 1982 and won his first 18 fights including the International Boxing Federation Lightweight Title with a majority decision over Jimmy Paul in 1986 Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) He then added the vacant WBC belt by avenging his loss to Ramirez on August 20. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine
Now a champion, Whitaker proceeded to dominate boxing's middle divisions over the first half of the 1990s. In 1990, he defended his lightweight title against future champion Freddie Pendleton and super featherweight champion Azumah Nelson of Ghana. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Freddie Pendleton (born January 5, 1963 in Philadelphia PA) was a professional boxer in the Lightweight (135 lb) division Super Featherweight (also known as Junior Lightweight) is a weight division in professional Boxing. Azumah Nelson (born September 19, 1958) is a former boxer and three-time world champion The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the On August 11, 1990, he knocked out Juan Nazario in one round to add the WBA title and become the first undisputed lightweight champion since Roberto Duran. Roberto Durán (born June 16 1951 is a retired professional boxer from Panama, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all-time His highlight of 1991 was beating Jorge Paez. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Jorge Adolfo Febles Páez (born October 27, 1965, in Mexicali, Baja California) is a Mexican boxer, Actor and
In 1992, he began his ascent in weight, winning the IBF junior welterweight title from Colombian puncher Rafael Pineda on July 18. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Rafael Pineda, born January 12, 1966 in San Cristobal, Colombia, was a Colombian boxer at Welterweight. Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls,
On March 6, 1993, he decisioned James (Buddy) McGirt to become the linear and WBC welterweight champion. James "Buddy" McGirt (born January 17, 1964) is a boxing trainer and former boxer
Whitaker was gaining momentum, from boxing experts and fans, as the pound for pound best boxer in the world, though some felt that he needed win against Mexican legend Julio César Chávez. Pound-for-pound is the term used in Boxing, Mixed martial arts and other Combat sports to describe a fighter's value in relation to fighters of different The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Julio César Chávez González (born July 12, 1962 in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora) is a retired Mexican professional boxer The two met in a welterweight superfight on September 10, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) In the eyes of many of the spectators, Whitaker outboxed Chávez in a career-defining performance. The judges, not that impressed by his performance, saw an even bout. As in his first fight with Ramirez, Whitaker was not awarded a decision victory, this time having to settle for a draw.
Whitaker continued on to dominate for the next few years, defending his welterweight belt in a rematch against McGirt on October 1, 1994. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar)
For good measure, in his next fight on March 4, 1995, Whitaker added Julio César Vásquez's WBA junior middleweight title to his collection but remained at welterweight to successfully defend his WBC belt against Scotland's Gary Jacobs on August 26, 1995. Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Julio César Vásquez (born July 13, 1966 in Santa Fe Argentina) is a professional boxer best known to have held a WBA junior middleweight title The World Boxing Association (WBA is a Boxing organization that sanctions official matches and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Gary Jacobs is a former professional boxer Jacobs at various points in his career held the British, Commonwealth and European (EBU Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995
Despite his success, Whitaker's skills were in gradual decline, evidenced by lackluster defenses against Wilfredo Rivera and Diosbelys Hurtado. Diosbelys Hurtado (born September 4, 1973 in Santiago Cuba) is a Cuban boxer. He met a bigger, younger Oscar de la Hoya on April 12, 1997, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oscar de la Hoya (ˈɒskər dɛlə ˈhɔɪə (born February 4 1973 &mdash nicknamed "The Golden Boy" &mdash is an Mexican American boxer Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Whitaker 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, and despite receiving an official knockdown de la Hoya won by a disputed unanimous decision.
Following this defeat, Whitaker began an unfortunate decline, personally and professionally. His win over Andrei Pestriaev was declared a no-contest after a drug test revealed he had used cocaine, which is a banned substance. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant
In 1999, Whitaker suffered his first sound defeat against the much bigger, much fresher Félix Trinidad, gamely taking the Puerto Rican the distance. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Félix 'Tito' Trinidad Jr (born January 10 1973 is a Puerto Rican professional boxer considered as one of the best boxers in that archipelago's history Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} His last fight came on April 27, 2001, against journeyman Carlos Bojorquez. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Carlos Bojorquez (born 26 June 1972) is an expierenced Mexican fighter he has record of 26 wins 10 losses and 6 draws Whitaker broke his clavicle in round four and was forced to retire, finishing with an official pro record of 40-4-1 (17 knockouts). Whitaker has since been in and out of prison for cocaine possession and is rumored to have squandered the millions of dollars he earned in fight purses.
In 2002, Ring Magazine ranked Whitaker as the 10th greatest fighter of the last 80 years. The Ring (often called Ring Magazine) is an American Boxing Magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing
On December 7, 2006, Whitaker was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with contemporaries Roberto Duran and Ricardo Lopez. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall Roberto Durán (born June 16 1951 is a retired professional boxer from Panama, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all-time Ricardo “El Finito” Lopez Nava (born July 25, 1967) is a boxer from Mexico. They were all elected in their first year of eligibility. While Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker's future seems uncertain, his record in the ring speaks for itself.
Personal life
Pernell is married to Rovanda Whitaker (currently separated) and they have three sons, Dominique, Pernell Whitaker Junior, and Dantavious.
After Boxing
As of December 2005, Whitaker has taken on the role as trainer in his home state of Virginia. While the decline of speed and agility have pushed him into retirement, his knowledge of the ring and components have led him to seek out up-and-coming boxers and train them to fight the way he did.
His first fighter, Dorin Spivey, has several matches scheduled for 2006. Recently he's been training heralded young prospect Joel Julio. Joel Jair Julio (born January 5, 1985[http //wwwmaineventscom/roster
Pernell Whitaker is also the trainer for heavyweight Calvin Brock who, as recently as November 2006, fought for the IBF and IBO titles against Wladimir Klitschko. Calvin Vance Brock (born January 22, 1975 in Charlotte North Carolina) is a contender in the Heavyweight division of Boxing.
See also
External links
| Preceded by Mike Tyson |
Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year 1989 |
Succeeded by Julio César Chávez |
| Preceded by Greg Haugen |
IBF Lightweight Champion 18 February 1989–1992 Vacated Title |
Succeeded by Freddie Pendleton |
| Preceded by Julio César Chávez Vacated |
WBC Lightweight Champion 20 August 1989–1992 Vacated Title |
Succeeded by Miguel Angel Gonzalez |
| Preceded by Juan Nazario |
WBA Lightweight Champion 11 August 1990–1992 Vacated Title |
Succeeded by Joey Gamache |
| Preceded by Rafael Pineda |
IBF Light Welterweight boxing champion 18 July 1992–1993 Vacated Title |
Succeeded by Charles Murray |
| Preceded by Buddy McGirt |
WBC Welterweight Champion 6 March 1993–12 April 1997 |
Succeeded by Oscar de la Hoya |
| Preceded by Julio César Vásquez |
WBA Light Middleweight boxing champion 4 March 1995–1995 Vacated Title |
Succeeded by Carl Daniels |
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