Through the years, we’ve seen some tragic twists of destiny befall a terrific fighter, with their lives being taken. It might be argued that no such destiny was as merciless because the one which met the chic Pernell Whitaker on today 5 years in the past. Whitaker, generally known as “Candy Pea” throughout his fairly merely superior ring profession, was hit by a car as he tried to cross a street in his native Virginia on Sunday, July 14th of 2019. Whitaker, who had thrilled followers and admirers of The Candy Science as he had bamboozled some very good fighters, died on the scene.
It was a ghastly method for anybody to exit, a lot much less a hoop grasp who meant a lot to so many thousands and thousands of individuals. Right this moment, had he lived, had merciless destiny not been awaiting him (for those who imagine in such), Pernell would have been a still-young 60 years of age. And Whitaker would have/might have made some superb boxing commentator, or perhaps he would have caught at it as a coach, with him discovering gold. We’ll by no means know.
However we all know all concerning the genius shows of hitting and never getting hit Whitaker placed on throughout his profession. A blinding newbie, Whitaker was in fact a part of the talent-rich Olympic squad that dominated in L.A in 1984, Whitaker profitable light-weight gold. As a professional, Whitaker was a real and absolute grasp; as his wins over fellow greats/good ones proved: Greg Haugen, Roger Mayweather, Jose Luis Ramirez (in each fights, regardless of what the terrible rating playing cards recommended within the first battle between these two, Pernell received each greater than handily), Freddie Pendleton, Azumah Nelson, Jorge Paez, Rafael Pineda, James “Buddy” McGirt (twice), Julio Cesar Vasquez………..and Julio Cesar Chavez.
To today, the “draw” between Whitaker and Chavez, in September of 1993, ranks as one of many absolute worst selections ever captured on movie. To say Whitaker outboxed, out-sped, even embarrassed the best fighter in Mexican historical past is to utter an understatement. Whitaker by no means received his greater than deserved rematch. Chavez didn’t wish to attempt to work out that bag of tips a second time, having failed so frustratingly on the first try.
Whitaker, nonetheless the welterweight king, moved on and he made some title retentions, whereas Pernell additionally moved as much as win a belt at 154 kilos, this a method too excessive poundage for him, with a win over Vasquez; this win making Whitaker a four-weight world champion. It wasn’t till April of 1997, after he had made a fairly spectacular eight profitable defences of his 147 pound crown, that Whitaker was at the very least near being legitimately defeated. That mentioned, loads of followers suppose, to today, that the choice win Oscar De La Hoya was awarded with after 12 robust and difficult rounds with a 33 12 months outdated Whitaker, was unjust.
As soon as once more, a superb fighter had been pushed to the restrict by Whitaker and his astonishing abilities. As soon as once more, a battle that may have been greater than worthy of a rematch by no means noticed one. So Whitaker moved on, with the now previous his greatest model of “Candy Pea” being handed an actual defeat by the murderous-punching Felix Trinidad. Whitaker managed to hold robust in dropping by way of large resolution.
Now 40-3-1, Whitaker, aged 37, had another battle, one which resulted in a stoppage loss to Carlos Bojorquez; Whitaker struggling a busted clavicle. This was the one stoppage loss Whitaker would ever endure.
Some say, with a lot conviction, that Whitaker has to rank in any high 5 best ever defensive fighters checklist. Certainly, at his greatest – and Whitaker remained at or near untouchable for round a full decade – Whitaker was a pleasure to look at and an entire nightmare to battle.
Right this moment, we followers miss Pernell. He ought to nonetheless be right here, concerned, in some capability or one other, within the sport he made look fairly stunning. Whitaker holds a singular place within the hearts of boxing followers.
