A blinding newbie, Whitaker was after all a part of the talent-rich Olympic squad that dominated in L.A in 1984, Whitaker successful 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 advised within the first battle 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, 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 obtained his greater than deserved rematch. Chavez didn’t wish to try to determine 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 means 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 a minimum of near being legitimately defeated. That stated, 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 previous Whitaker, was unjust.
As soon as once more, an excellent fighter had been pushed to the restrict by Whitaker and his astonishing expertise. As soon as once more, a battle that might have been greater than worthy of a rematch by no means noticed one. So Whitaker moved on, with the now previous his finest model of “Candy Pea” being handed an actual defeat by the murderous-punching Felix Trinidad. Whitaker managed to hold robust in shedding through vast resolution.
Now 40-3-1, Whitaker, aged 37, had yet one more 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 finest, and Whitaker remained at or near untouchable for round a full decade, Pernell was a pleasure to look at and a whole nightmare to battle.
