[19][20][21], Whitaker's next bout was against Russian-born fighter Andrey Pestryayev in a world title elimination fight, where the winner would earn an automatic #1 contender spot for the WBA Welterweight crown, held at the time by Ike Quartey. The victim succumbed to his injuries on the scene," Virginia Beach Police Department spokesman L.M. "The driver of the vehicle remained on scene with police.". I was robbed again, Whitaker said afterward. One of the greatest boxers of my lifetime and my good friend Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker passed away last night. He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. Main Events was promoting a card at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. Whitaker would fight nine times in the Scope arena during his career. Examined. The victory over McGirt set him up for a much-anticipated fight against Julio Cesar Chavez at the Alamodome in San Antonio. On behalf of everyone at Golden Boy, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and friends. The ceremony took place after five eigh-round matches ended. But nothing was more controversial than the draw he was saddled with against Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. on March 12, 1993. Hes not happy that it was necessary to go to court, his lawyer Bruce Gould told ABC News. welterweight title. He had demons, but when he was in the ring, that was when he was in control and when he was happy and when he was the very best at what he did, and he wanted to show that to everybody.". On behalf of everyone at Golden Boy, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and friends.". The victim succumbed to his injuries on the scene, a Virginia Beach Police Department spokesman said in a statement. [18], For his part, De La Hoya wasn't too pleased with his own performance against Whitaker and had hinted at a possible rematch to prove that he could do better against him. His problems continued in retirement, when he survived a cocaine overdose and in 2002 was convicted of cocaine possession. However, at the time of his demise, his net worth has an estimation of around $5 million. RIP Sweet Pea. His pro career began in 1984 and spanned all the way through 2001, with an amazing 40-4-1 record including 17 knockouts. Hes limited to what he can make training other boxers, Gould said. The fight was much closer than what the scorecards showed, and many observers felt that Whitaker won the fight. "When officers arrived on scene, they located an adult male victim who had been hit by a vehicle. The pro-boxer died at the age of 55 after hitting by a car in Virginia. Whitaker was a four-division world champion who emerged as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world during his prime, which stretched from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. We share so many great memories. He fought everyone from Oscar De La Hoya to Julio Cesar Chavez -- and even though he lost to Oscar and Julio was a draw many people believe he was ROBBED in both decisions because he clearly won the fights. Whitaker felt like neither his mother or other family members were contributing to the cost of the house, therefore he proceeded with the eviction. Its sad for him to have to take action against his mother, but none of the family would contribute to the real estate and he had no alternative but to use the court process, Gould said. He was one of the greatest boxers of all time. pic.twitter.com/gqf41jo6IO, This man was one of the greatest boxers ever to lace up gloves, loved watching him growing, defensive savant and as brave as they come. After his retirement in 2001, Whitaker returned to the sport as a trainer. "From Olympic gold to world championships in four weight divisions, Pernell Whitaker was one of the greatest boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves," Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said. I always wanted a church wedding, Ms. Anthony said before the wedding. Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. Where Tyson was a savage wrecking ball, Whitaker was smooth and an untouchable thief in the night.Im a scientist now, Im not a boxer.RIP Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker pic.twitter.com/JKj4yoFKiC, We have just received the sad news informing us that Pernell Whitaker has passed. Whitaker lost his first chance at a championship in 1988, but he rebounded the next year to win the International Boxing Federation world lightweight title from Greg Haugen. We're told officials received a call around 10:04 PM in response to an accident at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road. To me, he was one of the top five greatest boxers ever! In 2010, Whitaker was inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, honoring those who have contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia. Following the loss to De La Hoya, Whitaker outpointed Andrey Pestriev but tested positive for cocaine, and the result was changed to a no decision. "I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this great champion, who gave a tremendous amount of joy to those who watched him," De La Hoya, now chairman of Golden Boy promotions, said in a statement. In 1993, in the fight after the megafight with Chavez, Whitaker notched the first of his two decision wins over Hall of Famer James "Buddy" McGirt to win a welterweight world title, which he defended eight times before losing it to De La Hoya. Whitaker was a legendary boxer who multiple titles in several different weight classes. Ryan Garcia took a chance and lost, but boxing is better for it, Gervonta Davis says he's the face of boxing and he's right, Women's boxing divisional rankings: Ryan shakes up welterweight division after impressive win. Other than this, there is no other information on his parents, siblings, or documented on his education. But in a fight that many observers thought Whitaker had won easily, two judges called it a draw and a third voted for Whitaker, leaving the fight ruled a draw. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. During his lightweight title reign, Whitaker defeated fellow future Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson by clear decision and stopped Juan Nazario by rare first-round knockout to become the undisputed champion. The couples marriage held in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center on 2 January 1964. A split-decision loss for a lightweight world title to Jose Luis Ramirez in 1988 and the loss of his welterweight belt to Oscar De La Hoya in 1997 were highly controversial. Whitaker and Anthony, who are now divorced, had four children Domonique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. pic.twitter.com/Zsgqa66FKF, When Pernell Whitaker was world champion from lightweight to light middleweight, he was something special. He posted a 40-1-1 record across his first 42 fights before failing to win any of his final four bouts, a stretch that featured three losses and a no-contest. This was a highly controversial decision (considered one of the worst ever by many analysts), as most boxing observers felt that Whitaker easily won.[6][7][8]. It was a blowout, a shutout. He had up to 500 amateur fights but finished with 214 amateur fights winning with 201 and 91 of them knockouts. Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. The accident occurred at approximately 10 p.m . super lightweight title in 1992 and Buddy McGirt for the World Boxing Council welterweight belt in early 1993. To everyone please respect my familys privacy in this trying moment as I wanna inform people that today we lost a legend truly one of boxings greatest Pound 4 Pound champions my father Pernell Sweetpea Whitaker, the post said. He was small in statue but yet so big in heart and skills inside the ring, there will never be another like him, he will truly be missed https://t.co/IqmXkqpqkG. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019.[27]. "He was this person who was only comfortable in the ring. During his welterweight reign, Whitaker made a one-fight jump to junior middleweight and outpointed Julio Cesar Vasquez in 1995 to win a title in his fourth division. pic.twitter.com/56T1ueHiLh, So Sad. Boxing legend Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker dies in Virginia Beach accident WAVY TV 10 66K views 3 years ago EXCLUSIVE Pernell Whitaker: I'M The GREATEST Defensive Fighter EVER!! By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker has died at the age of 55 after being hit by a car in Virginia. Whitaker is survived by three of his four children with Anthony -- Pernell Jr. died a few years ago -- and a daughter from a previous relationship. I could watch hours and hours of him. R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it. Whitaker (who's from Virginia) was a BEAST in the ring winning world titles at 4 different weights -- lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight. #RipSweetPea https://t.co/TSzFcf5d5Y, Very sad to hear the news about Pernell Whitaker today. Pernell Whitaker, a longtime pound-for-pound king and one of the greatest boxers in history, was killed Sunday night when he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, Virginia. My prayers are with his family and loved ones. Whitaker and Chavez, who was 87-0 at the time, were considered two of the greatest boxers, pound for pound, of their day. Brett Caprioni Bio, Family, Career, Wife, Net Worth, Measurements. Pernell graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1982 and later received an honorary Bachelor's degree from Norfolk State University. His death led to an outpouring of condolences from other the era's other superstars. In 2002, The Ring ranked him tenth in their list of "The 100 Greatest Fighters of the Last 80 Years". In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. Whitaker won. Whitaker, trained by the longtime team of Lou Duva and George Benton and managed by Shelly Finkel, won his first world title at lightweight by outpointing Greg Haugen in 1989. Pernell Whitaker: Bio, Family, Education. He was only 55. Novella Whitaker said she was heartbroken by the decision. Pernell also had a daughter, Tiara, from a prior relationship. He won his next fight by unanimous decision over Andrei Pestriaev, but the ruling was changed to no decision after Whitaker tested positive for cocaine. #Boxing has lost one of its best and Ive lost a friend. "I loved Pernell Whitaker, and he loved me -- there was no doubt . https://t.co/OzPUCeBmgK. #PernellWhitaker pic.twitter.com/IZv3IQOo2f 10:49 AM PT -- The driver in the crash was NOT arrested -- and law enforcement officials tell us they do NOT believe drugs, alcohol or speed was a factor. Last night it was like someone put a knife in me and twisted it, Whitaker told Sports Illustrated the next day, irate at the decision. "Sweet Pea" was one of the most brilliant boxers in the past decades and he was always a great friend of the WBC. I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. Whitaker successfully defended his WBC belt against Scotland's Gary Jacobs on August 26, 1995. "He was far from a perfect person and a pain in the ass at times, but I still loved him. [27] He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. "It was an honor to share the ring with him. Mark Schwarz reflects on Pernell Whitaker's legacy and notes that the fighter's toughest opponent might have been himself. Legendary boxer, Pernell Whitaker passed away Sunday after being hit by a car. https://t.co/pZZEceN7h2, I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. After Whitakers death, his son Domonique took to Facebook to announce his fathers passing. Shortly after winning his Olympic Gold Medal in 1984, Whitaker celebrated by buying his mother a home in the town he grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. But Whitaker's final falling out with his family came to an ugly end in a Virginia court on Wednesday. 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Pernell Whitaker Jr Passes Away Today From Rare Cancer Boxing and Basketball 12.9K subscribers Subscribe 12K views 7 years ago Make Sure you hit the Thanks Button Down Below This Channel to. His mother, Novella told ABC News she was heartbroken by the decision but mentioned she will be fine because she is a fighter. All rights reserved. He was only 55.SUBSCRIBE -- http:. Whitaker appeared to win handily, but while one judge scored the fight 115-113 for Whitaker, two others scored it 115-115, resulting in a majority draw that remains perhaps the most controversial decision in boxing history. Pernell Whitaker, a left-handed defensive master in the boxing ring who won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a professional, was killed on Sunday when he was struck by a car in Virginia Beach. Whitaker had an extensive amateur boxing career, having started at the age of nine. In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. He was also regarded as one of the best defensive boxers of all time. Legendary boxer Pernell Whitaker suffered "multiple blunt-force injuries" leading to his death at the age of 55 after being struck by a car while walking Sunday night in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This photo was taken 7/13/19. Pernell Whitaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has died after being hit by a car.

Disney Screen Print Transfers, This Morning Recipes John Torode Today, Articles P