As great as Whitaker was, many wondered how much greater he could have been without the drug addiction that plagued him throughout his career. Main Events promoter Kathy Duva, whose company promoted Whitaker throughout his career and who remained close to Whitaker after his retirement, mourned his death. Sweet Pea was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006 -- and is considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of ALL TIME. [32] He was 55. Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. His son Pernell Jr. died in 2015. "I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this great champion, who gave a tremendous amount of joy to those who watched him," De La Hoya, now chairman of Golden Boy promotions, said in a statement. Sixteen months later, Whitaker returned, but he was a shell of himself against Trinidad. In addition, he won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and 1983 Pan American Games. Mark Lelinwalla is a contributing writer and editor for DAZN News. In his memory, there is an Instagram account @pernellwhitakerr with more than 2k followers. Pernell Whitaker, a former boxing champion and Olympic medalist, has died after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach. #GoneButNeverForgotten, Rest in eternal peace Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker - IMO the greatest defensive fighter of all time pic.twitter.com/55KnItMmSq, Oh no, no, no Sweet Pea was one of the greatest fighters to ever lace up gloves. He was 55. 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 then added the vacant WBC & The Ring belts by avenging his loss to Ramirez on August 20. Pernell Whitaker Car Crash Death Video - YouTube 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. [2] He had six siblings, two brothers, Raymond Whitaker, Jr, Raynell Whitaker; and four sisters; Zelda Brown, Sylvonia Whitaker, Lucinda Manley, and Monique Williams. https://t.co/OzPUCeBmgK. He had black eyes and black hair color. mourned his death. 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. Its significantly diminished over the years and hes not able to maintain this $400,000 house for his mother and siblings to live in.. Whitaker, the former lightweight, entered the ring at 155 pounds. Examined. When officers arrived on scene they located an adult male victim who had been hit by a vehicle. Moreover, as a professional boxer, he played around 46 fights in which he won 40. Whitaker finished his career with a record of 40 wins, four losses and that one draw. 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. The ceremony took place after five eigh-round matches ended. Whitaker won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a professional. has died. Loved him. The fight secured Whitaker the WBC, IBF and WBA lightweight titles. Ryan Garcia took a chance and lost, but boxing is better for it, Gervonta Davis says he's the face of boxing and he's right, Women's boxing divisional rankings: Ryan shakes up welterweight division after impressive win. "He would smile at you and demonstrate to you, while smiling, how remarkably easy this was for him.". The American was known as a brilliant defensive boxer with many opponents struggling to lay a hand on him. welterweight title. The house started to gather back taxes and since Whitaker could no longer afford it, he had to take action. He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. The 5'6" Virginia native had remarkable quickness and nearly unmatched ring awareness. It has garnered over 800 reactions, nearly 300 shares and many comments of support. He met Oscar De La Hoya on April 12, 1997, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whitaker and Anthony, who are now divorced, had four children Domonique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. In the eyes of many of the spectators, Whitaker outboxed the Mexican legend. 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! He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. We share so many great memories. Pernell Whitaker Wiki, Height, Age, Death, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Bio Devon and Tiara, while Pernell Jr died in 2015 at the age of 31 following a battle with cancer. His fall from grace and solvency involved numerous incidences of drug abuse and a history of arrests and run-ins with police. 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 was a four-division world champion who emerged as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world during his prime, which stretched from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. Pernell Whitaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has died after being hit by a car. Pernell's passing is a great loss. Pernell Whitaker, Champion in Four Boxing Classes, Dies at 55 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. 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. Whitaker also became the head trainer of former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah,[26] who defeated Kaizer Mabuza in March 2011 to win the vacant IBF light welterweight title. 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. Its significantly diminished over the years and hes not able to maintain this $400,000 house for his mother and siblings to live in.. 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. pic.twitter.com/56T1ueHiLh, So Sad. A southpaw, Whitaker was known for his outstanding defensive skills and for being a strong counterpuncher. One of the greatest boxers of my lifetime and my good friend Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker passed away last night. Outside the Virginia court, he said the ruling in his favor a beautiful moment. He was 55. They brought him to events and scheduled him for personal appearances and autograph signings. Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker killed after he's hit by a vehicle in I always wanted a church wedding, Ms. Anthony said before the wedding. He was born as the son to parents Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella Whitaker. But Whitaker's final falling out with his family came to an ugly end in a Virginia court on Wednesday. Who has the edge? 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. [12] The now-defuncted Bert Sugar's Boxing Illustrated" magazine had a heading on the cover of its post-fight edition telling readers not to buy the issue if they really believed "The Fight" was a draw.[13]. The Virginia Beach Police Department said the incident remains an active investigation, but Whitaker was apparently hit by a vehicle at around 10 p.m. Sunday when he was walking at an intersection. Boxing champ Pernell Whitaker dies; hit by car in Virginia welterweight champion, was scuttled when Whitaker again tested positive for cocaine. He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. In recent years, with the millions he had earned largely gone, Whitaker trained fighters, including Zab Judah, who won the I.B.F. He was 55. Whitaker also had a daughter from a prior relationship, Tiara. On March 12, 1988, he challenged Jos Luis Ramrez for the WBC Lightweight title in Levallois, France. 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. To help promote the event, Main Events went to Whitaker, who was popular in the region, with the idea of having him and Anthony wed in the ring in front of the crowd after the show. 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. [22][23] Whitaker was suspended for six months, but the commission lifted the suspension after he agreed to random testing and his title bout with Quartey was to proceed as scheduled, however, the bout was cancelled after Whitaker tested positive for a second time. He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. After Whitakers death, his son Domonique took to Facebook to announce his fathers passing. Source: Business Insider. He was only 55. Pernell Whitaker - Wikipedia 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. The driver was not cited -- though we're told that person is cooperating with authorities. Whitaker and Chavez, who was 87-0 at the time, were considered two of the greatest boxers, pound for pound, of their day. Seconds Out. #ripsweetpea pic.twitter.com/un90hPmIO6. It's NOT a hit and run situation. Waking up to this news just has me GUTTED. 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. https://t.co/pZZEceN7h2, I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. In fact, as one person involved in the investigation put it "It appears to just be a horrible accident.". A planned fight in 1998 against Ike Quartey, then the W.B.A. Ex-Millionaire Boxer 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker Says Evicting Mom Is He currently holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history at six title defenses. Im praying for his family during this difficult time. He retired in 2001 after three defeats in his final four fights with but he was in his prime in the 80s and 90s. We share so many great memories. 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.". His wake will be on Monday September 7, 2015 at the Metropolitan Funeral Home in Berkley. During his professional career, he had 40 wins, 17 knockouts, four losses and one draw, per CNN. We're told officials received a call around 10:04. A loss to Carlos Bojorquez in April 2001 was his final match. Condolences to his family. "Sweet Pea" was one of the most brilliant boxers in the past decades and he was always a great . ", Magic Johnson added "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. 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. All rights reserved. Moreover, in 2002, he was convicted of possessing cocaine after the judge found him violating the terms of his previous sentence in the month of March. RIP Sweet Pea. Whitaker lost his first chance at a championship in 1988, but he rebounded the next year to win the International Boxing Federation world lightweight title from Greg Haugen. By David K. Li. He added: I mentally and physically beat him. I'm still trying to process everything that's going on. 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. ", I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this great champion, who gave a tremendous amount of joy to those who watched him. With his defensive techniques and skilled counterpunch, he had fought from 1984 to 2001. Pernell Whitaker - This is Boxing - YouTube " C4TV" - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSZMLlUrPISUCxiDsnFVPwPernell Whitaker (born January 2 . In January, 1997, Whitaker put his title on the line against Cuban fighter Diosbelys Hurtado. Hes limited to what he can make training other boxers, Gould said. [30] In February 2014, Pernell made national headlines after he evicted his mother, Novella Whitaker, out of the house he purchased for her shortly after he turned pro. The ring remained his best place until the loss to De La Hoya. Whitaker (who's from Virginia) was a BEAST in the ring winning world titles at 4 different weights -- lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight. 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. Due to his financial problems, Whitaker had to file eviction orders against his mother, then 73-year-old, Novella Whitaker. However, he chose to move back to welterweight.[14][15]. Sports Illustrated 's post-fight edition had "ROBBED!" 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. 9:54. I could hear Dan telling him, Ill get you an easy fight, for a breather, and Pete would say, I dont want no easy fights, she said. R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it. His death led to an outpouring of condolences from other the era's other superstars. He was. . "I'm going to surviveI'm a survivor..I'm going with my daughtershe is taking me in," said Novella Whitaker told WVEC. "He always brightened my day, and he was very loyal to our family," said Duva, who recounted the story of Whitaker's unusual wedding to ex-wife Rovanda Anthony on Dec. 21, 1985, in Virginia Beach. In his next fight on March 4, 1995, Whitaker added Julio Csar Vsquez's WBA super welterweight title to his collection. Then he later worked as a boxing trainer in his hometown Virginia after his retirement. "[25] In the seventh round, Whitaker displayed more offense, trading power punches with Trinidad, but the champion retained control of the fight's tempo during the eight, ninth and tenth rounds. Pernell Whitaker Wife but no information regarding it. Pernell Whitaker, (born January 2, 1964, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.died July 14, 2019, Virginia Beach, Virginia), American professional boxer, world lightweight (135 pounds), junior welterweight (140 pounds), welterweight (147 pounds), and junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion in the 1980s and '90s. Im praying for his family. [25] Later in the fight, both boxers fell to the canvas in what were ruled as "accidental slips. Whitaker won titles in the lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight divisions. (modern). Other than this, there is no other information on his parents, siblings, or documented on his education. "But we said we can ask him, right? Whitaker was a legendary boxer who multiple titles in several different weight classes. Boxing legend Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker dies after being struck by a Bauder said in a statement. During his long and successful career I never missed one of his fights. He was 55-years-old. Whitaker won both bouts before hometown crowds at the Norfolk Scope, less than a mile from where he lived as a child in a Norfolk housing project. Whitaker, known as Sweet Pea or Pete, was an elusive fighter who deftly avoided being hit, or hurt, by his opponents. Boxing champ Pernell Whitaker dies; hit by car in Virginia He was also regarded as one of the best defensive boxers of all time. Pernell Whitaker, who forged a reputation as arguably the greatest defensive boxer who ever lived, died late Sunday in Virginia Beach . Getty Pernell Whitaker: Bio, Family, Education. He suffered his first pro defeat when the judges awarded a split decision to Ramirez. Where Tyson was a savage wrecking ball, Whitaker was smooth and an untouchable thief in the night. His mother, Novella told ABC News she was heartbroken by the decision but mentioned she will be fine because she is a fighter. 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. Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker was killed Sunday night after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, TMZ Sports has learned. Whitaker, who was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, won world titles in four weight classes. 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. No matter what he was going through, Pete had a great heart. Jun 29. 10:49 AM PT -- The driver in the crash was NOT arrested -- and law enforcement officials tell us they do NOT believe drugs, alcohol or speed was a factor. Im going to surviveIm a survivor..Im going with my daughtershe is taking me in, she said. The victim succumbed to his injuries on the scene, a Virginia Beach Police Department spokesman said in a statement. super lightweight title in 1992 and Buddy McGirt for the World Boxing Council welterweight belt in early 1993. Loved him. Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Baumgardner do enough to overtake Serrano? "He had a lot of problems outside the ring, and those problems probably cut his career short," Duva said. Whitaker stopped his opponent, Farrain Comeaux, on a technical knockout late in the second round. [25] In the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds the fighters exchanged combinations. Hurtado had Whitaker down on all the judges scorecards going into the 11th round: Hurtado scored flash knockdowns against Whitaker in rounds 1 and 6, and Whitaker had a point deducted in the 9th round for hitting Hurtado behind the head. across the cover and they believed that Whitaker had won no less than 9 of the 12 rounds in the fight. We have just received the sad news informing us that Pernell Whitaker has passed. Hurtado gave Whitaker all he could handle and then some. Pernell Whitaker, heralded as one of the greatest boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves, died Sunday night after he was hit by a pickup truck while walking across a wide thoroughfare in Virginia . Boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Gervonta Davis make the top 10? On behalf of everyone at Golden Boy, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and friends.". R.I.P. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene with police.. To me, he was one of the top five greatest boxers ever! Boxing Hall of Famer Pernell Whitaker dies in auto accident - Yahoo Sports 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. Hall of Fame boxer Whitaker hit by car, dies - ESPN In 2002, The Ring ranked him tenth in their list of "The 100 Greatest Fighters of the Last 80 Years". [28] The couple later divorced. 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. RIP Champ. A street fighter as a youngster, he learned to box at a local recreation center. 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. 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. Once a celebrated millionaire boxer and 1985 Olympic gold medalist, Whitaker is now struggling to pay his bills and needed to sell the house which he gave to his mother nearly 30 years ago, according to his lawyer. Whitaker's youngest son, Devon Whitaker, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that his dad was a "cool guy." . "He could stand in front of you and you couldn't find him," HBO boxing announcerJim Lampleytold Richard Sandomir of theNew York Timeson Monday. Virginia Beach - Pernell Whitaker Jr was born on October 5, 1984 and passed on Tuesday September 1, 2015. 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. Originally a UD win for Whitaker, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test. The late boxer had an average height of 5 feet 6 inches or 1.68 meters and weighs around 70 kg. This photo was taken 7/13/19. pic.twitter.com/pZZEceN7h2. We share so many great memories. Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker has died at the age of 55 after being hit by a car in Virginia. But unfortunately, he had a car accident in which he lost his life on the spot in Virginia Street on 14 July 2019. Local boxing legend Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker dies in Virginia Beach accident by: WAVY Web Staff, Andy Fox Posted: Jul 14, 2019 / 11:13 PM EDT Updated: Jul 15, 2019 / 11:28 PM EDT VIRGINIA. 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. Shortly after turning pro, Whitaker married Rovanda Anthony in 1985. He was 55. . Hes limited to what he can make training other boxers, Gould said. pic.twitter.com/sa4qZIDIIG, Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. The pro-boxer died at the age of 55 after hitting by a car in Virginia. Its sad for him to have to take action against his mother, but none of the family would contribute to the real estate and he had no alternative but to use the court process, Whitakers lawyer Bruce Gould told ABC News in 2014. "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. Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time.[5]. We're told the case will be kicked over to prosecutors to evaluate but it's unlikely the driver will be hit with criminal charges. One of the greatest boxers of my lifetime and my good friend Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker passed away last night. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Police in Virginia Beach said Whitaker was killed as he crossed the road at an intersection on Sunday night. To everyone please respect my familys privacy in this trying moment as I wanna inform people that today we lost a legend truly one of boxings greatest Pound 4 Pound champions my father Pernell Sweetpea Whitaker, the post said. Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker Dead At 55 After Hit By Car, Driver Not RIP Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker pic.twitter.com/JKj4yoFKiC, We have just received the sad news informing us that Pernell Whitaker has passed. 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. I cant really say how Im feeling because Im feeling shocked. Pernell Whitaker was born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 2, 1964, the son of Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella. Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker dead: Former boxing world champ fatally Whitaker, 50, bought the two-story brick home near the Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Va., for his mother in 1984 when he was still flush from his many wins in the ring. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker went from success to struggling. [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. A split-decision loss for a lightweight world title to Jose Luis Ramirez in 1988 and the loss of his welterweight belt to Oscar De La Hoya in 1997 were highly controversial. A Virginia judge ruled that Pernell Whitaker's mother must vacate a home she's been living in since 1984. Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) July 15, 2019 During his long and successful career I never missed one of his fights. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019.[27]. Emergency medical personnel at the scene tried to resuscitate Whitaker -- even performing CPR on him -- but unfortunately, Whitaker succumbed to his injuries and died. Whitaker continued on to dominate for the next few years, defending his welterweight title against Santos Cardona on April 9, 1994 and in a rematch against McGirt on October 1, 1994. Whitaker felt like neither his mother or other family members were contributing to the cost of the house, therefore he proceeded with the eviction.
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