Pernell Whitaker, best in the past 30 years?

[Anthony342]

What a coincidence that Larry Merchant said after one of his fights that Pernell was usually good enough defensively to punch out all of a trucks lights and could avoid getting hit by it. I guess Larry was right again and this time the car won.

[Rusty Tromboni]

It is gut-wrenching to hear how he went out. Truly terrible, terrible news.


He was an amazing fighter. Truly one of the absolute best ever. He bridged the Leonard and Lomachenko eras.

[billeau2]

Sweet Pea was proof that a truly great defense becomes an offensive weapon.

[john l]

Its a sad day today with Sweet Pea's untimely passing, it got me to thinking- was Pernell Whitaker the best fighter of the past 30 years? Let me first define best in this case: highest performing peak stretch. I get that lots of times people point to resume, or accumulated accolades, but I am simply stating who (in a relative P4P sense) was the best fighter of the past 30 years.

If we look back to '89 (30 years ago) the 4 kings had either retired or were past their primes. So I think the other names who can make an argument here are Floyd, RJJ, Manny and maybe Chavez, maybe Holyfield (the CW and early heavy version), and I'll say maybe Finito because I am such a big fan.

Was prime Pea the best of this time, or was there someone better?

Him and May too hard too separate they would need 3 to decide imo. Defense always trumps offense.

[The D3vil]

1. Roy Jones Jr.
2. Pernell Whitaker
3. Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao
5. Bernard Hopkins

[Anthony342]

Sweet Pea was proof that a truly great defense becomes an offensive weapon.

Yes and Niccolino Locche was proof of that too when one of his opponents quit on his stool when he couldn't hit him.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Loved pernell, at least top 5 of the past 30 years.. would have loved to see him vs manny or Floyd

[QueensburyRules]

Him and May too hard too separate they would need 3 to decide imo. Defense always trumps offense.

- -Oscar fought both ans says Pea was better back in April while Pea was still with us.

Jeff Fenech also picked Pea and has a solid connection to him.

https://*********.com/fenech-oscar-p...en-floyd/50135

[billeau2]

Yes and Niccolino Locche was proof of that too when one of his opponents quit on his stool when he couldn't hit him.

Lol. Yup. I can imagine that would be very frustrating.

[john l]

- -Oscar fought both ans says Pea was better back in April while Pea was still with us.

Jeff Fenech also picked Pea and has a solid connection to him.

https://*********.com/fenech-oscar-p...en-floyd/50135

Oscar hates Floyd and you know it and of course at this time not too many are going to say anything negative about the GREAT Pea(and rightfully so)and Fenech never fought either and would not call him an expert on tech boxing(still great). Both COULD beat ANYONE at their best weight(30-35) in they're prime and even though im pretty good picking fights I have NO IDEA who would win.