Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker has passed away aged 55
Pernell Whitaker tragically dies aged 55
It has been confirmed that Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker has passed away suddenly at the age of 55 after being hit by a car in Virginia.
A local TV station confirmed that boxing legend Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was killed in an auto pedestrian crash late last night, on July 14.
Officials received a call around 10:04pm in response to a road traffic accident at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road in Virginia Beach.
When emergency services arrived, they located the injured person, later revealed to be Pernell Whitaker, who died of his injuries at the scene.
It is not believed to be a hit and run incident. The driver of the vehicle stayed to speak with police.
Following Sunday night's accident, traffic on westbound Northampton Boulevard was shut down for several hours but it has since reopened.
Many believe that the crossing at Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road is a dangerous intersection.
In a bizarre coincidence, his own brother was hit and injured by a car last year in Norfolk.
The former four-weight world champion was regarded as being one of the very best defensive boxers to ever grace the ring.
Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, led the tributes with: "Rest in eternal peace Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker - IMO the greatest defensive fighter of all time."
Pernell Whitaker (40-4-1, 17 KOs) was a southpaw and defensive master from Norfolk, Virginia, trained by George Benton and Lou Duva, and managed by Shelly Finkel.
Roll of Honour:
Amateur Record: 201-14
Professional Record: 40-4-1
Defeated Olympic Gold Medalist, Angel Herrera
1982 National AAU Lightweight Champion
Lightweight Silver Medalist for USA at 1982 World Championships in Munich
Lightweight Gold Medalist for USA at 1983 Pan American Games in Caracus
Lightweight Gold Medalist for USA at 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles
NABF Lightweight Champion 1987
USBA Lightweight Champion 1987
IBF and WBC World Lightweight Champion 1989 - 1992
Named The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year 1989
WBA World Lightweight Champion 1990 - 1992
IBF World Light-Welterweight Champion 1992 - 1993
WBC World Welterweight Champion 1993 - 1997
WBA World Light-Middleweight Champion 1995
Named the 3rd greatest lightweight of all-time in September 2001 issue of The Ring Magazine
Inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007 and the
Inducted into World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008
Pernell Whitaker Facts:
He was often called Pete by his family and friends.
His nickname came around by mistake when his friends and family would chant "Sweet Pete" during his amateur bouts, and a local newspaper reporter misheard the words and wrote that the crowd was cheering for "Sweet Pea", and the nickname stuck ever since.
Whitaker trained Zab Judah for his fights with Kaizer Mabuza and Amir Khan in 2011.
Going into his last four bouts, his record was 40-1-1 (17 KO's), with both of those blemishes considered highly controversial.
He would go 0-3-0-1 in his last four fights, partly due to age, but more because of his addiction to cocaine.
