Everyone Agree, Pernell Whitaker Is Greater Than Chavez?

[Wild Blue Yonda]

I think there is at least a case for Chavez, here, but then I've always been a huge admirer of long-drawn unbeaten streaks (consistency, IMO, is immensely under-rated in how difficult it can be to pull off at the top level), especially the kind which sees you do in several excellent (if not quite all-time great) rivals, the likes of Rosario, Mayweather, Ramirez, Camacho & co, all of whom fell to Chavez.

That said, Whitaker bested him mighty easily head-to-head, & although neither were at their absolute best for that fight (each peaked as 135lbers, IMO), the fight was a little more advantageous to Whitaker going in. Still, Sweet Pea had the beating of JC Superstar at any weight IMO, was the better pure fighter & would've defeated more legends through history. I wouldn't say he accomplished more than Chavez did, however. This doesn't tell the whole story mind, but Chavez had a winning run at one stage which was not all that far off double the amount of fights which composes Whitaker's entire career! Food for thought, if nothing else.

I would have to say Whitaker is greater, but Chavez has something of a case to be rated higher, at least if you focus heavily on accolades.

[joseph5620]

I think there is at least a case for Chavez, here, but then I've always been a huge admirer of long-drawn unbeaten streaks (consistency, IMO, is immensely under-rated in how difficult it can be to pull off at the top level), especially the kind which sees you do in several excellent (if not quite all-time great) rivals, the likes of Rosario, Mayweather, Ramirez, Camacho & co, all of whom fell to Chavez.

That said, Whitaker bested him mighty easily head-to-head, & although neither were at their absolute best for that fight (each peaked as 135lbers, IMO), the fight was a little more advantageous to Whitaker going in. Still, Sweet Pea had the beating of JC Superstar at any weight IMO, was the better pure fighter & would've defeated more legends through history. I wouldn't say he accomplished more than Chavez did, however. This doesn't tell the whole story mind, but Chavez had a winning run at one stage which was not all that far off double the amount of fights which composes Whitaker's entire career! Food for thought, if nothing else.

I would have to say Whitaker is greater, but Chavez has something of a case to be rated

higher, at least if you focus heavily on accolades.

Well thought out great post. One thing I'll add in Whitaker's favor is that his career progressed at a much faster rate than Chavez. I believe Whitaker fought for the title after only 14 fights. And he should have won a wide decision regardless of Pastrano's ridiculous view on it. With that said, Chavez may have had more fights but Whitaker had a far better quality of opponents ratio.

[SCtrojansbaby]

LOL Pernell dreams of being half the fighter Chavez was

[JAB5239]

LOL Pernell dreams of being half the fighter Chavez was

Yet he kicked his ass for 12 rounds. Go figure.

[SCtrojansbaby]

Yet he kicked his ass for 12 rounds. Go figure.

Yep Chavez moved up in weight and still Pernell couldn't beat him

[JAB5239]

Yep Chavez moved up in weight and still Pernell couldn't beat him

Kicking his ass and not getting the decision are two vastly different things. And forget about that whole moving up thing like Pea had some sort of advantage. They were both at 135 when they were each 20 years old so their growth was similar. In top of that JCC had the height advantage.

[crold1]

Kicking his ass and not getting the decision are two vastly different things. And forget about that whole moving up thing like Pea had some sort of advantage. They were both at 135 when they were each 20 years old so their growth was similar. In top of that JCC had the height advantage.

Let's also remember Pea had been at 47 all of ONE fight prior, Chavez had been a class above Whitaker (40 over 35) for years before Pea stopped off at 40 for a couple of fights AND they fought at a catchweight in the Alamodome. Moved up is a technicality. Pea clowning Chavez for a solid eight or nine of 12 rounds was the reality.

Chavez controlled that show (which is why Whitaker walked on HBO for a night to make it). If he had wanted it at 40, Pea would have fought him there. Chavez wanted to win that 4th.

[StarshipTrooper]

Stop it. Just stop it. No such person can actually exist.......... can they!?

Ahem. I was saying:

LOL Pernell dreams of being half the fighter Chavez was

[Wild Blue Yonda]

Well thought out great post. One thing I'll add in Whitaker's favor is that his career progressed at a much faster rate than Chavez. I believe Whitaker fought for the title after only 14 fights. And he should have won a wide decision regardless of Pastrano's ridiculous view on it. With that said, Chavez may have had more fights but Whitaker had a far better quality of opponents ratio.

Of course, in fairness to Chavez, your quality of opponent ratio has to drop if you have a career spanning 100-plus bouts, compared with Whitaker's 40-odd. However, thats a fine point about Whitakers career progression being much swifter and though I was aware of it, it escaped my memory this time. Nice catch, although again in Chavez's defense, making it as an unknown from Mexico doesnt lend itself to the same career trajectory as an Olympic-pedigree gold medallist from an all-time US team. Not that such a thing detracts from Whitakers rapid advancement --- that was excellent. I just think Chavez never had the same chance to prove such greatness, even if he couldve done no grander with the opportunity.

[RubenSonny]

Half of Chavez undefeated streak were no hopers, why should he get credit for that? Whitaker is clearly the greater fighter.