Pernell Whitaker Sr.[2] (January 2, 1964 July 14, 2019)[3] was an American professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2001, and subsequently worked as a boxing trainer. The pro-boxer died at the age of 55 after hitting by a car in Virginia. Im still trying to process everything thats going on. Where Tyson was a savage wrecking ball, Whitaker was smooth and an untouchable thief in the night. Apparently, back taxes were owed on the house and Pernell said that neither his mother nor his siblings, who also stayed in the house, were doing anything to help keep the house afloat financially. Virginia Beach - Pernell Whitaker Jr was born on October 5, 1984 and passed on Tuesday September 1, 2015. Also, Whitaker was known for his outstanding defensive skills who applied a consistent offense which makes it difficult for his opponents to hit with a solid punch. Unclear if the driver of the car was arrested but he did stay on the scene to speak with police. Examined. In recent years, with the millions he had earned largely gone, Whitaker trained fighters, including Zab Judah, who won the I.B.F. On December 7, 2006, Whitaker was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with contemporaries Roberto Durn and Ricardo Lpez. Whitaker also trained former IBF world champion Paul Spadafora between 2009 and 2010 for 3 fights in which Spadafora won all three. To me, he was one of the top five greatest boxers ever! The Virginia Beach Police Department confirmed the death, saying he was crossing a street at night when he was hit. De La Hoya also paid tribute to his rival. Somebody that Ive always loved to watch and wanted to meet so bad and now it will never happen. Who has the edge? Legendary boxer, Pernell Whitaker passed away Sunday after being hit by a car. His fall from grace and solvency involved numerous incidences of drug abuse and a history of arrests and run-ins with police. pic.twitter.com/56T1ueHiLh, So Sad. A grandson of Mrs. Whitaker, former NFL player Ronyell Whitaker, has also come forward to offer his assistance to his grandmother and make sure she is cared for. Longtime friend, Olympic teammate and former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield tweeted: I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night. Loved him. Novella Whitaker said she was heartbroken by the decision. He crowned his amateur career with an Olympic gold medal in 1984, beating Luis Ortiz to obtain it. Video Former Boxer: Evicting Mom Is a 'Beautiful Moment' Then he later worked as a boxing trainer in his hometown Virginia after his retirement. Whitaker felt like neither his mother or other family members were contributing to the cost of the house, therefore he proceeded with the eviction. 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. Duva said. Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker was killed Sunday night after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, TMZ Sports has learned. SMH RIP SWEET PEA you will for ever be one of the greatest to ever lace em up. We ended up paying for the wedding and had the reception after the show at the fight hotel.". His youngest son, Devon, described his father as a . But he now has two mortgages on the house and the alternative was if he didnt sell, it was going to go to foreclosure., But outside the courthouse on Wednesday, Whitaker appeared happy with court ruling to evict his mom. He broke his clavicle in round four and was forced to retire; at the time of the stoppage Whitaker was trailing in all the judges' scorecards by 28-29. Anyone can read what you share. welterweight champion, was scuttled when Whitaker again tested positive for cocaine. 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]. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker was in the class of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard as one of the most entertaining fighters in my lifetime. Click Agree to accept our use of cookies or you can choose to opt out of our use of cookies by following the instructions in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice. [30] In February 2014, Pernell made national headlines after he evicted his mother, Novella Whitaker, out of the house he purchased for her shortly after he turned pro. "When officers arrived on scene, they located an adult male victim who had been hit by a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/pZZEceN7h2. Whitaker won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a professional. His humble beginnings started in Youngs Park Housing Community where he was inspired to start his boxing career. [28] The couple later divorced. 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 was 55. Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker's Death Accidental; Suffered Blunt Force Pernell Whitaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has died after being hit by a car. My prayers are with his family and loved ones. Pernell Whitaker, who forged a reputation as arguably the greatest defensive boxer who ever lived, died late Sunday in Virginia Beach . Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. He was a four-weight world champion, having won titles at lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight; the undisputed lightweight title; and the lineal lightweight and welterweight titles. 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.