OT - Famed Boxer Sweet Pea Whitaker Dead
To those of us old enough to remember when boxing was a relevant, dominant sport in America, when American boxing RULED the Olympic Games, a sad day has befallen our world. The great pugilist Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker died after being hit by a car in Virginia Beach.
Known for his defensive prowess and flair, Sweet Pea was a slick boxer who frustrated his opponents with his ability slip punches, and use his extraordinarily quick hands to counterpunch and outpoint almost every fighter he faced. For fans of the sweet science, Pernell Whitaker was a joy to watch. I'll never forget his two most controversial fights, a draw against the great Julio Cesar Chavez, and a still debated loss to Oscar De La Hoya. In my humble opinion, he won them both!
Olympic Gold, multiple World Champion, wonderful athlete, the sports world has lost a legend. Rest In Peace, "Sweet Pea".
Damn that’s sad, one of the greatest to ever do it. Still think he got robbed against Julio Caesar Chavez!
And De La Hoya. Outlands the guy by damn near 50 punches and scores the only knock-down of the fight and loses by like 6 points on two of the judge's cards?
How?
I remember watching that fight with my friend, his dad, and some of other guys from his firm. I miss those days. R.I.P. Pernell.
I have a very similar memory. Watched it with mom and dad and two friends. That was back when Pay Per View meant like $20 and you could just order a fight because it sounded fun. Now you have to budget out like two months in advance to order a fight.
I think they were trying to get Chavez to 100-0 but Frankie Randall begged to differ.
Meldrick Taylor did also, but...speaking of which, my gosh is he in bad shape today (Taylor).
I watched that Meldrick Taylor fight withe same people. He won that fight but Richard Steele begged to differ. Frankie Randall left no doubt.
Not Sweet Lou Whitaker, the Tigers baseball player.
Not the song Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
No....he's fine living in Greensboro NC.
I got nostalgic and had to watch a video of Sweet Pea's wizardry. I counted 7 straight power shots from De La Hoya that Sweet Pea slipped - TWICE. Wow, what a defensive wizard!
Pernell, Pep, Wilfredo Benitez, Mayweather Jr - pretty much the best ever to do it defensively.
The art of boxing exemplified by Sweet Pea, he was fun to watch.
RiP
whitaker was the best defensive fighter i've ever seen. when i was a kid i would set an alarm clock after my parents went to bed so i could sneak into a room that had hbo and watch him fight.
RIP, Sweet Pea
RIP Sweet Pea. Great fighter.
One of the best nicknames ALL TIME.He was a great boxer during boxings best era
RIP
Aw, bummer! Sweet Pea was good. Rest in peace, Pernell...
He was one of my favorites during the 90's. The old man and I spent many a Saturday nights watching boxing on HBO. Lesigh....the good old days.
Count me among the people that would watch boxing on HBO back in the day, especially if someone the likes of "Sweet Pea" was involved. I heard this news earlier today and was bummed by it. He was a great defensive fighter.
RIP sweet pea. You were one of the great ones and a joy to watch
RIP. One of the greats!