Through the years, we now have seen some tragic twists of destiny befall an awesome fighter, with their lives being taken. It could possibly be argued that no such destiny was as merciless because the one which met the elegant Pernell Whitaker on today 5 years in the past. Whitaker, generally known as “Candy Pea” throughout his fairly glorious ring profession, was hit by a automobile as he tried to cross a street in his native Virginia on Sunday, July 14th, 2019. Whitaker, who had thrilled followers and admirers of The Candy Science as he had bamboozled some excellent fighters, died on the scene.
It was a dreadful approach for anybody to exit, a lot much less a ringmaster who meant a lot to hundreds of thousands. Right now 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/may have made some nice 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 in regards to the genius shows of hitting and never getting hit Whitaker placed on throughout his profession. A stunning beginner, Whitaker was a part of the talent-rich Olympic squad that dominated in L. In 1984, Whitaker gained 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 scorecards recommended within the first combat between these two, Pernell gained 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 is likely one of the worst selections ever captured on movie. To say Whitaker outboxed, out-sped, and even embarrassed the best fighter in Mexican historical past is to utter an understatement. Whitaker by no means bought his more-than-deserved rematch. Chavez didn’t need to attempt to work out that bag of methods 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 approach 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 defenses of his 147-pound crown, that Whitaker was at the very least near being legitimately defeated. That stated, loads of followers assume, to today, that the choice that Oscar De La Hoya was awarded after 12 robust and difficult rounds with a 33-year-old Whitaker was unjust.
As soon as once more, Whitaker and his astonishing abilities pushed an excellent fighter to the restrict. As soon as once more, a combat 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 absolute defeat by the murderous-punching Felix Trinidad. Whitaker managed to hold robust in dropping through huge resolution.
Now 40-3-1, Whitaker, aged 37, had yet one more combat that resulted in a stoppage loss to Carlos Bojorquez; Whitaker suffered a busted clavicle. This was the one stoppage loss Whitaker would ever undergo.
Some say, with a lot conviction, that Whitaker has to rank in any high 5 biggest ever defensive fighters listing. Certainly, at his greatest – and Whitaker remained at or near untouchable for round a complete decade – Whitaker was a pleasure to look at and a whole nightmare to combat.
Right now, 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 novel place within the hearts of boxing followers.
