Originally a UD win for Whitaker, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test. The house started to gather back taxes and since Whitaker could no longer afford it, he had to take action. In the eyes of many of the spectators, Whitaker outboxed the Mexican legend. As a trainer, he trained Joel Julio and also the trainer for heavyweight Calvin Brock. 11:09. 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 this person who was only comfortable in the ring. He jumped at it, and Rovanda loved it also. 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. He has written for the likes of the New York Daily News, Men's Health, The Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Complex, XXL and Vibe Magazine. 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. ", I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this great champion, who gave a tremendous amount of joy to those who watched him. It was another controversial decision against Whitaker, but it wasn't seen as a blatant robbery like the Ramirez or Chavez decisions. "I can't really say how I'm feeling because I'm feeling shocked. Pernell Whitaker - BoxRec Legendary boxer, Pernell Whitaker passed away Sunday after being hit by a car. Hes limited to what he can make training other boxers, Gould said. "I loved Pernell Whitaker, and he loved me -- there was no doubt . His survivors include his sons, Devon, Dominique and Dantavious, and his daughter, Tiara. In his amateur career, he won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championship. 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. 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. On March 6, 1993, he decisioned Buddy McGirt to become the Lineal and WBC Welterweight Champion. [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. 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. 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. In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. Pernell Whitaker, Champion in Four Boxing Classes, Dies at 55 Pernell 'Sweat Pea' Whitaker, former boxing champion, dies after being Pernell Whitaker - This is Boxing - YouTube but no information regarding it. Im a scientist now, Im not a boxer. 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 Whitaker, boxing champ and ex-trainer of McKees Rocks' Paul 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. They brought him to events and scheduled him for personal appearances and autograph signings. In 2010, Whitaker was inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, honoring those who have contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia. We share so many great memories. 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. Pernell Whitaker's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know The pro-boxer died at the age of 55 after hitting by a car in Virginia. In his memory, there is an Instagram account @pernellwhitakerr with more than 2k followers. He was. I always wanted a church wedding, Ms. Anthony said before the wedding. Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker's Death Accidental; Suffered Blunt Force But Bob Arum, De La Hoya's promoter at that time, decided against it. His problems continued in retirement, when he survived a cocaine overdose and in 2002 was convicted of cocaine possession. It has garnered over 800 reactions, nearly 300 shares and many comments of support. Pernell Whitaker, a former boxing champion and Olympic medalist, has died after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach. On December 7, 2006, Whitaker was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with contemporaries Roberto Durn and Ricardo Lpez. The ceremony took place after five eigh-round matches ended. "He had a lot of problems outside the ring, and those problems probably cut his career short," Duva said. It's NOT a hit and run situation. 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 would smile at you and demonstrate to you, while smiling, how remarkably easy this was for him.". He earned money at autograph shows as well. [4] In 1989, Whitaker was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. I could watch hours and hours of him. During his long and successful career I never missed one of his fights. Pernell Whitaker, who forged a reputation as arguably the greatest defensive boxer who ever lived, died late Sunday in Virginia Beach . However, he chose to move back to welterweight.[14][15]. Duva said. Sweet Pea has two siblings: a brother, Raymond, Jr., and a sister, Monique. 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. Hall of Fame boxer Whitaker hit by car, dies - ESPN He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. R.I.P. Former boxing champion Pernell Whitaker has died after he was hit by a car in Virginia. With his defensive techniques and skilled counterpunch, he had fought from 1984 to 2001. 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's youngest son, Devon Whitaker, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that his dad was a "cool guy. Since the glory days, Whitaker has been training young boxers, but work is slowly drying up, according to Gould. 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 . 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. Further, he holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history to date with six title defenses. Im praying for his family during this difficult time. 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. Whitaker's youngest son, Devon Whitaker, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that his dad was a "cool guy." . Mark Lelinwalla is a contributing writer and editor for DAZN News. . #PernellWhitaker pic.twitter.com/IZv3IQOo2f, It was an honor to share the ring with him. The driver of the car remained at the scene, and the police said they were investigating the incident. He then faced the undefeated Oscar De La Hoya in 1997 for the W.B.C. They had four children together: Dominique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. His first fighter, Dorin Spivey fought matches in 2006. 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. Examined. Cops are investigating. Somebody that Ive always loved to watch and wanted to meet so bad and now it will never happen. [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]. 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. [25] In the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds the fighters exchanged combinations. The autopsy on Pernell Whitaker has been completed -- with officials saying the boxer died from "multiple blunt force injuries" in a car accident that has been labelled an "accident." TMZ. 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. SMH RIP SWEET PEA you will for ever be one of the greatest to ever lace em up. VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia -- 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.