Pernell Whitaker Discussion Thread

[cotto16]

Lets discuss this great fighter......

[JFB629]

Pernell ''Sweet Pea'' Whitaker was a genius, who didn't copy moves, he created them. He was a extraordinary inovator, inventing moves never seen before, with a multi layed defence.

He was one of the finest defensive fighters prizefighting has ever seen. He had incredible reflexes, dazzling hand speed, and a sound chin.

Whitaker at his peak, was one of the if not the most skilled and gifted fighter ever to ever lace on a pair of gloves.

He made world class fighters, look like second rate novices, most of his fights were one sided masterpieces. Some feel he never really lost a fight until the age of 35, were he was battling a drug addiction.

He unified the Lightweight division. He made 8 defences of his IBF 135lb Title and 3 defences of his Undisputed Crown. He then moved up to 140 and beat IBF champion Rafael Pineda.

He never defended that title. He chose to move up and take the WBC Welterweight Title from James McGirt. He then fought the 87-0 Julio Cesar Chavez, and after giving him him a boxing lesson was robbed out of a decision victory, the fight was a draw.

He was also robbed of a victory against Jose Luis Ramirez in 88 held in France. To this day that is one of the worst robberies I have ever seen. He would box the ears of Ramirez again in Norfolk, ******ia, this time winning a easy decision.

But everyone knows Pernell won both fights. He made eight defences of the WBC 147lb title. And in that time he also went to 154lb and defeated feared hardman Julio Cesar Vasquez who's record stood at 53-1, with his only loss coming by DQ. So he was really 53-0.

Going into the fight Vasquez had made 10 defences of his WBA Title and also defeated a young Winky Wright. Whitaker gave one of his most dazzaling performances beating Vasquez on UD over 12.

Even when past his prime and fighting above his natrual weight class, most thought he was robbed of a victory against the then unbeaten Oscar De La Hoya.

All in all Whiatker beat 15 Title Holders.

In the end drugs ruined him and his lost 3 of his last 4 bouts. But at his peak, I don't favour many beating Sweet Pea.

Pernell Whitakers Accomplishments
-Rated Pound For Pound Best Fighter On The Planet
-Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.
-4 Weight World Champion
-Argubaly Finest Defensive Fighter Of All Time

Amature Accomplishments
-1982 National AAU Lightweight Champion
-Lightweight Silver Medalist at the 1982 World Championships
-Lightweight Gold Medalist at the 1983 Pan American Games
-Lightweight Gold Medalist for the United States at the 1984 Olympics

Pernell Whiatkers' Resume Of Wins
-Roger Mayweather
-Greg Haugen
-Louie Lomeli (24-0)
-Jose Luis Ramirez
-Freddie Pendleton
-Azumah Nelson
-Policarpo Diaz (32-0)
-Jorge Paez
-Rafael Pineda
-James McGirt x2
-Julio Cesar Vasquez (53-1)
-Wilfredo Rivera (23-0-1) x2
-Diosbelys Hurtado (20-0)

Titles Held
-NABF Lightweight
-USBA Lightweight
-IBF Lightweight
-WBC Lightweight
-WBA Lightweight
-IBF Light Welterweight
-WBC Welterweight
-WBA Jr Middleweight

[Dynamite Kid]

In my opinion the best inside fighter of all time. Duran was also extremely good though. They could both fight inside and in the pocket with Duran being the better inside fighter and Pernell better in the pocket but Whitaker could still fight inside just like Duran could also fight in the pocket.

Strictly speaking the best " inside" fighter of all time is what it says, great inside which means on the chest, however my own interpretation is a guy who can fight both ranges from mid range/inside. I think on the whole Whitaker was more accomplished although i know people will disagree.

To me watching Whitaker is like painting a work of art. You know how they saw painting is very the****utic ? well that is how i feel after watching a Whitaker fight, he used to paint a work of art in the ring. Whitaker did not just beat people he white washed them, good fighters like Greg Haugen, Ramirez, Nelson, Chavez.

I have an immense amount of respect for his talent.

Schooled..........

Greg Haugen
Jose Luis Ramirez 2
Santos Cardona
Harold Brazier

The fights above are what you call Boxing lessons.

Im not gonna insult Nelson, Chavez by saying they got schooled but Whitaker beat them clearly to!

James McGirt 1/2 are two of the best technical Boxing matches you will ever see. Very good to watch if like watching technical Boxing.

Roger Mayweather beaten clearly aside from a Knockdown, so i left him out of the the schooled category. Roger almost Ko'ed by Whitaker lol


Pea beat a natural 154 pounder Julio Cesar Vasquez who wiped the floor with Winky Wright.

Later in his career he struggled with Rivera, Hurtado because he abused his body.

[Hitman Hodgson]

The only attribute he lacked was world class power. If he had that he'd be almost unbeatable.

[Dynamite Kid]

The only attribute he lacked was world class power. If he had that he'd be almost unbeatable.

Ill add maybe another inch or 2 in height aswell. That comes in handy the higher you go in weight.

[oldgringo]

Pernell was the man. He is my favorite fighter. Great input in this thread so far....I don't have anything else to add really. It's rare that a fighter faces such great opposition at or close to their best though. I think Pernell did that for the most part.

[zoneman99]

Whitaker was an amazing defensive fighter. He made tough fights look easy.

[1SILVA]

Lets discuss this great fighter......

Was one of the five greatest defensive fighters of all time and top three southpaws of all time. A wizard in the ring

[Steward]

The signed glove i have of his is one of my most treasured possessions.

Truely an amazing fighter. He had enough power to just demoralise his opponents. Gave world class boxers boxing lessons.

As far as im concerned he beat oscar de la hoya. I have never understood arguments against this. Oscar bitched out the rematch as well. Really underlines his greatness.

Easily my favourite boxer.

[The Old LefHook]

We already discussed him in a better thread. Your thread is passe.