1980s–2000sAmericanSouthpawdeceased
Pernell Whitaker
“Sweet Pea”
Record: 40–4–1 (17 KO)Weight classes: Lightweight, Super lightweight, Welterweight, Super welterweightBorn: 1964-01-02
Titles & honours
- Olympic Gold (1984)
- Four-division world champion (Lightweight 1989, Super Lightweight 1992, Welterweight 1993, Super Welterweight 1995)
Biography
Pernell Whitaker — 'Sweet Pea' — was born Norfolk, Virginia in 1964, won lightweight gold at the 1984 Olympics, and is on every credible all-time list as one of the greatest defensive fighters who ever lived. He held versions of the lightweight title from 1989 to 1992 (twice fighting Julio César Chávez to a controversial 1993 draw that most observers thought he won clearly), then moved up to win the WBC welterweight title in 1993. His shoulder roll, his footwork, his ability to slip punches by inches without losing balance — it was an entire generation's blueprint for how to box. Died in a 2019 car accident at age 55.