By Mark Vester
According to the Times Online, heavyweight contender Calvin Brock (29-1) has dropped trainer Tommy Yankello, and hired former champion Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker to be his new trainer.
Brock made the decision to change trainers after he lost the first bout of his career last November, a seven-round stoppage at the hands of IBF champ Wladimir Klitchscko in New York's Madison Square Garden.
Whitaker is a 1984 Olympic lightweight gold medal winner. He retired in 2001 with a 40-4-1 record, and along the way won world titles in four different weight classes. In his day, many considered him one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
Calvance Brock, Calvin's father and business manager, said that Yankello was offered a co-trainer position, but declined.
"No knock on Tommy," said Calvance Brock. "Calvin had been with Tommy for something like four years, and we appreciate everything Tommy has done to develop Calvin. But at this point and time in Calvin's career, we thought it was time for a change. For now, Calvin's going to be working with 'Sweet Pea.' "
