To help promote the event, Main Events went to Whitaker, who was popular in the region, with the idea of having him and Anthony wed in the ring in front of the crowd after the show. He won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. My prayers are with his family and loved ones. #RipSweetPea https://t.co/TSzFcf5d5Y, Very sad to hear the news about Pernell Whitaker today. To me, he was one of the top five greatest boxers ever! He was born as the son to parents Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella Whitaker. The victim succumbed to his injuries on the scene," Virginia Beach Police Department spokesman L.M. In 2010, Whitaker was inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, honoring those who have contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia. Other than this, there is no other information on his parents, siblings, or documented on his education. ABC News' calls to a number listed for Pernell Whitaker went unanswered today. Main Events was promoting a card at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather) on Jul 15, 2019 at 6:44am PDT, I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this great champion, who gave a tremendous amount of joy to those who watched him. We share so many great memories. This was a history making fight for Whitaker, as he became only the fourth fighter in history - joining Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roberto Durn - to have won a legitimate world title in four different weight classes. In just his eleventh and twelfth pro bouts, Whitaker defeated former world champion Alfredo Layne on December 20, 1986 and former WBA and lineal Super Featherweight and WBC Light Welterweight title holder Roger Mayweather on March 28, 1987. Hell be a son forever until death do us part, but he is putting a rip through the family, Whitakers eldest sister, Zelda Brown told ABC News. His son Pernell Jr. died in 2015. Whitakers career was recognized by other great boxers and athletes on social media, including Oscar De La Hoya and Magic Johnson. ", Yes! Let us scroll over to know more about his personal details. He was one of the greatest boxers of all time. R.I.P. Condolences to his family. Its significantly diminished over the years and hes not able to maintain this $400,000 house for his mother and siblings to live in.. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. #ripsweetpea pic.twitter.com/un90hPmIO6. Mauricio Sulaiman. He said to ABC News affiliate WVEC-TV that it was a beautiful moment.. He was 55. During his retirement, Whitaker dabbled as a trainer and remained close to Duva and her staff at Main Events. Whitaker trudged on, winning a decision over Greg Haugen for the IBF Lightweight title on February 18, 1989, becoming the first boxer to knock Haugen down by sending him to the mat in the sixth round. The Virginia Beach Police Department said the incident remains an active investigation, but Whitaker was apparently hit by a vehicle at around 10 p.m. Sunday when he was walking at an intersection. Anyone can read what you share. Legendary boxer, Pernell Whitaker passed away Sunday after being hit by a car. Pernell Whitaker, an Olympic gold medalist and four division champion who was regarded as one of the greatest defensive fighters ever, has died after being hit by a car in Virginia. "[25] In the seventh round, Whitaker displayed more offense, trading power punches with Trinidad, but the champion retained control of the fight's tempo during the eight, ninth and tenth rounds. Whitaker, the former lightweight, entered the ring at 155 pounds. They had four children together: Dominique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. 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. Its significantly diminished over the years and hes not able to maintain this $400,000 house for his mother and siblings to live in.. Thank you for inspiring me and all the future champions to do the sport that we love. Once a celebrated millionaire boxer and 1985 Olympic gold medalist, Whitaker is now struggling to pay his bills and needed to sell the house which he gave to his mother nearly 30 years ago, according to his lawyer. It was a blowout, a shutout. His marriage ended in divorce. https://t.co/OzPUCeBmgK. "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. " C4TV" - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSZMLlUrPISUCxiDsnFVPwPernell Whitaker (born January 2 . Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time.[5]. In his next fight on March 4, 1995, Whitaker added Julio Csar Vsquez's WBA super welterweight title to his collection. Boxing legend Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker dead at 55. Felix Trinidad throws a punch during a fight against Pernell Whitaker. In 2002, The Ring ranked Whitaker as the 10th Greatest Fighter of the Last 80 Years. How good will the promotion be? Whitaker and Anthony, who are now divorced, had four children Domonique, the late Pernell Jr., Dantavious, and Devon. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. Hurtado had Whitaker down on all the judges scorecards going into the 11th round: Hurtado scored flash knockdowns against Whitaker in rounds 1 and 6, and Whitaker had a point deducted in the 9th round for hitting Hurtado behind the head. Pernell's passing is a great loss. 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. This is insanely sad. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Im still trying to process everything thats going on. He was 55. Whitaker would fight nine times in the Scope arena during his career. Arrest warrant issued for Nate Diaz after brawl, Sources: Smith-Eubank rematch set for June 17, Remembering Whitaker: 'Sweet Pea' a master of the sweet science, 2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism. #PernellWhitaker pic.twitter.com/IZv3IQOo2f, It was an honor to share the ring with him. Whitaker, 50, bought the two-story brick home near the Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Va., for his mother in 1984 when he was still flush from his many wins in the ring. He had black eyes and black hair color. Whitaker had been scheduled to fight on a nationally televised card with four other former Olympians Mark Breland, Tyrell Biggs, Meldrick Taylor and Evander Holyfield on that day in the mid-1980s, but the boxing legend had other plans. While the decline of speed and agility pushed him into retirement, his knowledge of the ring and competitive boxing's components led him to seek out up-and-coming boxers to train to fight in the manner in which he did. However, at the time of his demise, his net worth has an estimation of around $5 million. He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. It was another controversial decision against Whitaker, but it wasn't seen as a blatant robbery like the Ramirez or Chavez decisions. American boxing legend, Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker died at the age of 55 Sunday after being struck by a car in Virginia Beach. (modern). He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. Whitaker also became the head trainer of former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah,[26] who defeated Kaizer Mabuza in March 2011 to win the vacant IBF light welterweight title. "Everyone at the Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing and offers our condolences to his family.". Moreover, from the age of nine, he started his training in an amateur boxing career. Speaking of his persona life, he had married Rovanda Anthony. https://t.co/pZZEceN7h2, I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF lightweight titles, longest unified lightweight championship reign, "Pernell Whitaker Dead At 55, Boxing Legend Hit By Car", "Floyd Mayweather Jr. and 25 Best Defensive Boxers in History", "Ranking the 15 Worst Judging Decisions in Boxing History", "5 More Of the Worst Decisions in Boxing", "The List: The 10 Worst Decisions in Boxing History", PERNELL WHITAKER V JULIO CEASR CHAVEZ: BOXING'S CONTROVERISAL SCORECARDS, "Julio Cesar Vasquez vs. Pernell Whitaker", Pernell Whitaker vs Julio Cesar Vasquez - HBO World Championship Boxing, "Whitaker, Knocked Down, Comes Back to Knock Out Challenger", "Pernell Whitaker vs Diosbelys Hurtado-part 5/6", OSCAR TIME IT WASN'T AN AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE, BUT OSCAR DE LA HOYA TOOK PERNELL WHITAKER'S WELTERWEIGHT TITLE, "De La Hoya beats Whitaker He takes WBC crown by unanimous decision", "EX-CHAMP WHITAKER COULD FACE 6-MONTH SUSPENSION FOR DRUGS", "Zab Judah continues his personal road to redemption", "Ex-Millionaire Boxer 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker Says Evicting Mom Is 'Beautiful Moment', "Former champion Whitaker hit by car, dies", R.I.P. [16][17] The win set up a showdown with undefeated 1992 Olympic gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya. Glad I got to sit next to him at the Ward v Kovalev fight in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/sa4qZIDIIG, Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He was 55-years-old. In 1992, he began his ascent in weight, winning the IBF light welterweight title from Colombian puncher Rafael Pineda on July 18. Im truly lost for words to hear Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker is no longer with us. He could stand in front of you and you couldnt find him, Jim Lampley, the longtime HBO boxing announcer, said in a phone interview. Examined. Three months after the Olympics, he and several other members of the United States boxing team, among them Evander Holyfield and Mark Breland, made their professional debuts at Madison Square Garden in New York. Getty A Virginia judge ruled that Pernell Whitaker's mother must vacate a home she's been living in since 1984. Sweet Pea has two siblings: a brother, Raymond, Jr., and a sister, Monique. In addition, he won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and 1983 Pan American Games. Pernell also had a daughter, Tiara, from a prior relationship. 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. Pernell married Rovanda Anthony on December 21, 1985 in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. Whitaker outpunched De La Hoya and scored the only knockdown, but the judges awarded De La Hoya a unanimous decision. He then beat Rafael Pineda for the I.B.F. welterweight champion, was scuttled when Whitaker again tested positive for cocaine. Whitaker now intends to sell the house to retain the $150,000 of equity in the home to recoup $18,000 in overdue taxes he paid on the building on behalf of his mother and two siblings living there, his lawyer said. This photo was taken 7/13/19. Originally a UD win for Whitaker, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test. Though he was not particularly hard puncher still considered as a strong counterpuncher. welterweight title. 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. [4] In 1989, Whitaker was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. After retirement, he also survived a cocaine overdose in 2001. In my Top 2 fave fighters. Sweet Pea has two siblings: a brother, Raymond, Jr., and a sister, Monique. 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 pic.twitter.com/IqmXkqpqkG, May you Rest In Peace.. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker! Here's what you need to know about his family. Two fights later, Whitaker avenged the draw against Ramirez by winning a unanimous decision to retain the title. He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. As an amateur, Whitaker won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championships, followed by gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and 1984 Olympics. Pernell Whitaker was born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 2, 1964, the son of Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella. No matter what he was going through, Pete had a great heart. Whitaker successfully defended his WBC belt against Scotland's Gary Jacobs on August 26, 1995. The accident occurred at approximately 10 p.m . Mark Schwarz reflects on Pernell Whitaker's legacy and notes that the fighter's toughest opponent might have been himself. Outside of the Virginia courtroom where the eviction proceedings took place, he called the ruling in his favor "a beautiful moment. R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it. Bauder said in a statement. . Whitaker felt like neither his mother or other family members were contributing to the cost of the house, therefore he proceeded with the eviction. [2] He had six siblings, two brothers, Raymond Whitaker, Jr, Raynell Whitaker; and four sisters; Zelda Brown, Sylvonia Whitaker, Lucinda Manley, and Monique Williams. In December 2005 Whitaker became a boxing trainer in his home state of Virginia. 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. To me, he was one of the top five greatest boxers ever! When officers arrived on scene they located an adult male victim who had been hit by a vehicle. Pernell Whitaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has died after being hit by a car. pic.twitter.com/Zsgqa66FKF, When Pernell Whitaker was world champion from lightweight to light middleweight, he was something special. Whitaker was awarded an official knockdown in the 9th round and, according to CompuBox stats, outlanded De La Hoya in overall punches and connect percentage, using the jab as his primary weapon; but De La Hoya threw and landed almost twice as many power punches and had a slightly higher power punch connect percentage than Whitaker and showed more agression in the fight, which may have been the key factors in De La Hoya winning by a disputed unanimous decision. His youngest son, Devon, described his father as a . We share so many great memories. Whitaker, who made his professional debut on ABC with several of his Olympic teammates at Madison Square Garden in New York and eventually became a staple on HBO, moved up to junior welterweight in 1992 and outpointed Rafael Pineda to win a 140-pound world title. His fall from grace and solvency involved numerous incidences of drug abuse and a history of arrests and run-ins with police. [2] He had six siblings, two brothers, Raymond Whitaker, Jr, Raynell Whitaker; and four sisters; Zelda Brown, Sylvonia Whitaker, Lucinda Manley, and Monique Williams. He had up to 500 amateur fights but finished with 214 amateur fights winning with 201 and 91 of them knockouts. Hes limited to what he can make training other boxers, Gould said. sims 4 bakery display case cc,
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