Pernell Whitaker, best in the past 30 years?

[john l]

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

I think he beats Pac not easy but REAL clear. Have no idea who wins between Pea and May that's my dream fight as they are the two best to turn pro in last 40 years.

[The Old LefHook]

Pea proved himself further and more convincingly than Mayweather did. He didn't wait 6, 7, 8, 9 years to fight Chavez, the way Mayweather stalled Pacquiao. Instead he fought big challenges as soon as he could. That is a HUGE difference, kiddies. Not thrilling to watch, but he is a greater fighter than Mayweather, and would give complete fits to anyone in his weight range from any period whatsoever.

[ShoulderRoll]

For the hundredth time, Floyd signed for the fight when both were prime. It was Pacquiao who stalled because of stricter drug testing.

Anyway...Pernell Whitaker certainly qualifies for being the best boxer of the past 30 years.

It's between him, Roy Jones, or Floyd in my opinion.

[The Old LefHook]

Tsk! Tsk! No defenders of stallers allowed. The timeline of the rest of Lil' Floyd's record points up what an atrocious staller he really was. It wasn't just Pacman he waited on to slow down, he did it with all dangerous fighters, or avoided them altogether, by buggery. Everyone he fought that was supposed to be any good was fought on the tail end of their goodness. Very purposeful of him, but does not make him a great fighter. Beating prime greats is what does that. This is precisely why Leonard is regarded so much more highly than Lil' Floyd--he defeated a monster prime Hearns. Some other greats he got to were not quite prime, but not so with Hearns. Tommy was in his dead prime when he and Ray met. There is no such fight on MW's pathetic resume. Both Mosley and Judah were fought much later than they could and should have been.

Lil' Floyd hoodwinked a lot of halfwits. He was the black Calzaghe whose matchmaker scoured the rest homes of three continents.

[ShoulderRoll]

Who else did Floyd stall? This I have to hear.

And why is a topic about Pernell Whitaker turning into yet another Floyd Mayweather theead?

[Rusty Tromboni]

You can't argue that Mayweather's record compares to Whitaker's. Or that he was as good a pure-boxer.


You can argue that Mayweather had a longer career and was more proefssional. But I am not really sure what that amounts to.*

It's Whitaker's fault and no one else's that he wasn't in prime form for DLH and Trinidad, but at least he fought them. Can you imagine Floyd fighting those guys at that point in their careers!?!?!?
If Whitaker had taken the Floyd approach, he'd probably instead be fighting dudes half his size at 126, rather than entering the ring with a beast like Tito.

*Mayweather was also a more complete fighter. While we may fixate on juxtaposing Mayweather's boring defensive style w/ Pete's artistic take, once upon a time Mayweather was a Boxer-Puncher. In the same vein and Robinson and Hearns who could be really butch when bullying smaller men, but then butt-pucker against guys their own size, Mayweather at 130 pounds had the finishing ability that Pernell Whitaker and his 50 Million punches per fight could never match. But again, Mayweather wasn't fighting anyone especially impressive, and the Castillo fights showed how confident Floyd was in his offense, once faced with men his size/calibre.

So Floyd was technically a more complete fighter, but I am not sure what that matters.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I think he beats Pac not easy but REAL clear. Have no idea who wins between Pea and May that's my dream fight as they are the two best to turn pro in last 40 years.

I honestly think he beats Floyd, he is the one guy that is just as elusive as Floyd, but he was a straight up dog that would “fight” you.. plus the southpaw

[john l]

I honestly think he beats Floyd, he is the one guy that is just as elusive as Floyd, but he was a straight up dog that would “fight” you.. plus the southpaw

Floyd would also "fight" you, matter a fact when he was fighting at 30-40 they called him "Pea with power" as he was more offensive then Pea. The southpaw stance very well could have made the difference, but that's why I said it would take three to REALLY decide because BOTH could make adjustments and readjustments. I wont argue your opinion because its the one fight I have never had a strong feeling for, but I will say this NOBODY else since and including class of 1980(Chavez,curry,nelson) could beat these two except each other. Defense will almost always trump offence whether most like or understand it. Like I said its my dream match of my era and the skills that would be displayed would be something to behold.

[john l]

For the hundredth time, Floyd signed for the fight when both were prime. It was Pacquiao who stalled because of stricter drug testing.

Anyway...Pernell Whitaker certainly qualifies for being the best boxer of the past 30 years.

It's between him, Roy Jones, or Floyd in my opinion.

Agree 100% and Roach has an interview on youtube that says that very thing(1st fight not happening was THIER fault). I would put May and Pete above Jones(in either order) because of better skills and comp, but Jones heads up is a bit ch of a matchup. People forget about the 1st Montell G fight where he was giving Jones a REAL prob before the DQ. The reason was because MG made Roy take all the chances which he did not like to do, he really gave Roy probs with that jab to body and chest. That's something both Pea and May could take advantage of imo. Either way I agree they are best to turn pro over last 40yrs(class of 80) and would put Chavez next ahead of Manny imo.

[QueensburyRules]

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.

- -Oscar in an infinite line of TUE 50-0 haters.

Fenech got to know Pea well in the Olympics and was scheduled to fight him professionally but for the fight falling out for the usual reasons.

Interview was tributes to Pea. You gotta prob with that?