Pernell Whitaker, who forged a reputation as arguably the greatest defensive boxer who ever lived, died late Sunday in Virginia Beach, Virginia, when he was struck by a car while crossing a bridge. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
A gold-medal winner on the legendary 1984 U.S. Olympic team, Whitaker was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, his first year of eligibility. He won world championships at lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and super welterweight. He was the lineal champion at lightweight and welterweight.
The most famous of those was his Sept. 10, 1993, majority draw in San Antonio, Texas, with Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. for the WBC and lineal welterweight title. Whitaker seemed to badly outbox Chavez, who entered the fight 87-0 with 75 knockouts, but two of the three judges called it a draw. The New York Times, in its March 13, 1988, edition, wrote, “Whitaker … appeared to have an easy time from the start and was peppering the champion with right jabs throughout the fight.”Among the elite fighters Whitaker defeated in his professional career were Hall of Famers Buddy McGirt and Azumah Nelson, Ramirez and Roger Mayweather.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pernell Whitaker, boxing legend known as 'Sweet Pea,' dead at 55
Read more »
Boxing legend Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker, 55, killed in Virginia car accidentBREAKING: Former world champion boxer Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker has died after being hit by a vehicle in Virginia Beach, police say.
Read more »
Boxing legend Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker dies after being struck by a carBoxing legend Pernell Whitaker died Sunday night after being hit by a car in Virginia, police said in a statement. He was 55. The boxer known as “Sweet Pea” is said to have been walking near an intersection in Virginia Beach when the accident occurred.
Read more »
Pernell Whitaker Dead At 55, Boxing Legend Hit By CarHe was hit by a car in West Virginia, TMZ Sports has confirmed.
Read more »
Former boxing champ Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker fatally struck by carFormer welterweight boxing champion Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker has died in a car accident in Virginia Beach on Sunday night, according to police.
Read more »
Legendary boxer Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker dies after he's hit by a vehiclePernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker, considered one of the greatest lightweight boxers of all time, died Sunday after he was hit by a vehicle in Virginia, police said. He was 55 years old.
Read more »