Longtime friend, Olympic teammate and former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield tweeted: I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. American boxing legend, Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker died at the age of 55 Sunday after being struck by a car in Virginia Beach. 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. Whitaker, the former lightweight, entered the ring at 155 pounds. We ended up paying for the wedding and had the reception after the show at the fight hotel.". In fact, as one person involved in the investigation put it "It appears to just be a horrible accident.". Hurtado gave Whitaker all he could handle and then some. One of the greatest boxers of my lifetime and my good friend Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker passed away last night. I could watch hours and hours of him. "When officers arrived on scene, they located an adult male victim who had been hit by a vehicle. "[31], At about 10 p.m. 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 the driver of a vehicle. The cover of Sports Illustrated days later showed a photo of Whitaker landing a punch with the headline "Robbed!". Pernell's passing is a great loss. Waking up to this news just has me GUTTED. But he now has two mortgages on the house and the alternative was if he didnt sell, it was going to go to foreclosure.. 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. The ring remained his best place until the loss to De La Hoya. His youngest son, Devon, described his father as a . His is a Hall of Fame legacy, which we are forever grateful to call our own heritage. CNN Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, considered one of the greatest lightweight boxers of all time, died Sunday after he was hit by a vehicle in Virginia, police said. 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. #PernellWhitaker pic.twitter.com/IZv3IQOo2f But nothing was more controversial than the draw he was saddled with against Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. on March 12, 1993. Four-weight champion struck by car on Sunday night, Considered by many to be greatest defensive boxer of all time. [27] pic.twitter.com/Zsgqa66FKF, When Pernell Whitaker was world champion from lightweight to light middleweight, he was something special. He was 55 years old.. . Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker has died at the age of 55 after being hit by a car in Virginia. He had black eyes and black hair color. [25] The fight began with both boxers displaying aggressive styles, which included excessive pushing. Im praying for his family during this difficult time. 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. Outside the Virginia court, he said the ruling in his favor a beautiful moment. Sports Illustrated 's post-fight edition had "ROBBED!" Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker was killed Sunday night after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, TMZ Sports has learned. On my NY public access TV show Max on Boxing (1989-1998), I talked Pernell Whitaker more than any other fighter; it was basically the Pernell Whitaker show. 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. After the fights, we dropped the ropes, and they got married in the ring. 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 Whitakers Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. RIP Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker pic.twitter.com/JKj4yoFKiC, We have just received the sad news informing us that Pernell Whitaker has passed. Ring Magazine named him the Fight of the Year in 1989. 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. I'm still trying to process everything that's going on. 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. My prayers are with his family and loved ones. American boxing legend, Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker died at the age of 55 Sunday after being struck by a car in Virginia Beach. The two met in a welterweight superfight simply named "The Fight"[11] on September 10, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas. His main source of income was from boxing as well as from his endorsements and advertisements. Whitaker was a legendary boxer who multiple titles in several different weight classes. His humble beginnings started in Youngs Park Housing Community where he was inspired to start his boxing career. His highlight of 1991 was a win over Jorge Pez and a fight against European Champion Poli Daz that ended in another win. Whitaker felt like neither his mother or other family members were contributing to the cost of the house, therefore he proceeded with the eviction. But midway in the 11th round, Whitaker landed a left hook that hurt Hurtado and, in a rare display of aggression and power, unleashed a barrage of left-handed power shots, pummeling Hurtado into the ropes, knocking Hurtado out and almost completely out of the ring before referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the fight at the 1:52 mark, giving Whitaker the come-from-behind TKO win. The victory over McGirt set him up for a much-anticipated fight against Julio Cesar Chavez at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Its significantly diminished over the years and hes not able to maintain this $400,000 house for his mother and siblings to live in.. ", "That's all I can say about him," he told the newspaper. "He could stand in front of you and you couldn't find him," HBO boxing announcerJim Lampleytold Richard Sandomir of theNew York Timeson Monday. 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. But he still showed up at the arena to marry his fiance, Rovanda Anthony, in the ring after the evenings last fight. 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 . Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) July 15, 2019, It was an honor to share the ring with him. Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Baumgardner do enough to overtake Serrano? Whitaker's youngest son, Devon Whitaker, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that his dad was a "cool guy. But Bob Arum, De La Hoya's promoter at that time, decided against it. 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. Then he later worked as a boxing trainer in his hometown Virginia after his retirement. 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, 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. Source: Business Insider. Brett Caprioni Bio, Family, Career, Wife, Net Worth, Measurements. At the end of the fight, the judges' scores were 111-115, 110-116, 110-116. A street fighter as a youngster, he learned to box at a local recreation center. He had inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather) on Jul 15, 2019 at 6:44am PDT, I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this great champion, who gave a tremendous amount of joy to those who watched him. This photo was taken 7/13/19. 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. 11:09. 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.". 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. This photo was taken 7/13/19. Divisional rankings: Where do Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia land after their megafight? [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. Max Kellerman talks about Pernell Whitaker's legacy in the boxing world after Whitaker's death Sunday night. Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time.[5]. He was born as the son to parents Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella Whitaker. 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. Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. Examined. The couples marriage held in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center on 2 January 1964. He had 214 amateur fights, winning 201, 91 of them by knockouts, though he said that he had up to 500 amateur fights. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! 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. When he returned to the ring in early 1999, he fractured his jaw in a decisive loss to Felix Trinidad for the I.B.F. He earned money at autograph shows as well. Let us scroll over to know more about his personal details. Somebody that Ive always loved to watch and wanted to meet so bad and now it will never happen. Pernell Whitaker (right) during his victory over Anthony Jones in Las Vegas in 1991. Pernell Whitaker, who forged a reputation as arguably the greatest defensive boxer who ever lived, died late Sunday in Virginia Beach . Pernell married Rovanda Anthony on December 21, 1985 in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. 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. What happens when a boxer kills his opponent? In 2002, The Ring ranked him tenth in their list of "The 100 Greatest Fighters of the Last 80 Years". He won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Whereas the boxer was sentenced dead at the spot. July 15, 2019 Pernell Whitaker, a left-handed defensive master in the boxing ring who won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a. [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. Condolences to his family. His youngest son, Devon, described his father as a cool guy on Monday. He suffered his first pro defeat when the judges awarded a split decision to Ramirez. Pernell also had a daughter, Tiara, from a prior relationship. On March 6, 1993, he decisioned Buddy McGirt to become the Lineal and WBC Welterweight Champion. However, their marriage didnt go well and divorced after years. In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. He later trained young prospect Joel Julio. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene with police.. but no information regarding it. SMH RIP SWEET PEA you will for ever be one of the greatest to ever lace em up. During his long and successful career I never missed one of his fights. Pernell Whitakerwas born on January 2, 1964, and he is an American professional boxer and four-weight world champion. 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. He jumped at it, and Rovanda loved it also. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In 2002, The Ring ranked Whitaker as the 10th Greatest Fighter of the Last 80 Years. Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
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