The 5'6" Virginia native had remarkable quickness and nearly unmatched ring awareness. Known as "Sweet Pea," Whitaker, a southpaw from Norfolk, Virginia, was revered as perhaps the best defensive fighter in history, and his slick moves confounded opponent after opponent. Legendary boxer Pernell Whitaker suffered "multiple blunt-force injuries" leading to his death at the age of 55 after being struck by a car while walking Sunday night in Virginia Beach, Virginia. But he was a cool guy.". Heres what you need to know about Whitakers family: Getty Pernell Whitaker throws a punch at Wilfredo Rivera in a 1996 match. In recent years, with the millions he had earned largely gone, Whitaker trained fighters, including Zab Judah, who won the I.B.F. Legendary boxer Pernell Whitaker suffered "multiple blunt-force injuries" leading to his death at the age of 55 after being struck by a car while walking Sunday night in Virginia Beach,. "He could stand in front of you and you couldn't find him," HBO boxing announcerJim Lampleytold Richard Sandomir of theNew York Timeson Monday. No matter what he was going through, Pete had a great heart. Apparently, back taxes were owed on the house and Pernell said that neither his mother nor his siblings, who also stayed in the house, were doing anything to help keep the house afloat financially. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The victim succumbed to his injuries on the scene, a Virginia Beach Police Department spokesman said in a statement. In addition, he won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and 1983 Pan American Games. He also remained active in Norfolk and spoke at city council meetings on behalf of the residents in support of community improvements. The Virginia Beach Police Department said the incident remains an active investigation, but Whitaker was apparently hit by a vehicle at around 10 p.m. Sunday when he was walking at an intersection. I'm still trying to process everything that's going on. After Whitakers death, his son Domonique took to Facebook to announce his fathers passing. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. Pernell Whitaker, a left-handed defensive master in the boxing ring who won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and became a champion in four weight classes as a professional, was killed on Sunday when he was struck by a car in Virginia Beach. His son Pernell Jr. died in 2015. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker went from success to struggling. He has written for the likes of the New York Daily News, Men's Health, The Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Complex, XXL and Vibe Magazine. They offered contrasting styles: Whitaker was mobile and slippery, Chavez an aggressive attacker. Read about fighters likeJorge Masvidal,Nate Diaz,Kevin Lee (Fighter),Dave Rienzi. However, their marriage didnt go well and divorced after years. #Boxing has lost one of its best and Ive lost a friend. He retired in 2001 after three defeats in his final four fights with but he was in his prime in the 80s and 90s. He added: I mentally and physically beat him. Devon and Tiara, while Pernell Jr died in 2015 at the age of 31 following a battle with cancer. A grandson of Mrs. Whitaker, former NFL player Ronyell Whitaker, has also come forward to offer his assistance to his grandmother and make sure she is cared for. #Boxing has lost one of its best and Ive lost a friend. DAZN uses cookies to help us deliver our services and improve your user experience. Feb. 27, 2014— -- Former welterweight boxing champ Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker's latest battle was a court fight to evict his mother from her house and he described his court victory as a "beautiful moment.". Novella Whitaker said she was heartbroken by the decision. I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night.We share so many great memories. RIP Sweet Pea. He was the pound for pound best for half a decade, and one of the 3 greatest pure boxers who ever lived. RIP, Ex-NFL star Michael Vick, who's also from Virginia, tweeted about Whitaker's passing -- saying, 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker was our hometown legend and the greatest of all time. He was 55. In fact, as one person involved in the investigation put it "It appears to just be a horrible accident.". A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather) on Jul 15, 2019 at 6:44am PDT. In his next fight on March 4, 1995, Whitaker added Julio Csar Vsquez's WBA super welterweight title to his collection. We're told the case will be kicked over to prosecutors to evaluate but it's unlikely the driver will be hit with criminal charges. Hell be a son forever until death do us part, but he is putting a rip through the family, Whitakers eldest sister, Zelda Brown told ABC News. Glad I got to sit next to him at the Ward v Kovalev fight in Las Vegas. The autopsy on Pernell Whitaker has been completed -- with officials saying the boxer died from "multiple blunt force injuries" in a car accident that has been labelled an "accident." TMZ. Former boxing champion Pernell Whitaker has died after he was hit by a car in Virginia. Pernell Whitaker, a longtime pound-for-pound king and one of the greatest boxers in history, was killed Sunday night when he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His last fight came on April 27, 2001, against journeyman Carlos Bojorquez. One of the greatest boxers of my lifetime and my good friend Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker passed away last night. R.I.P. Thank you for inspiring me and all the future champions to do the sport that we love. On July 14, 2019, Whitaker was crossing the street in Virginia Beach, at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road, when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. A loss to Carlos Bojorquez in April 2001 was his final match. Whitaker outpunched De La Hoya and scored the only knockdown, but the judges awarded De La Hoya a unanimous decision. He was also regarded as one of the best defensive boxers of all time. "Sweet Pea" was one of the most brilliant boxers in the past decades and he was always a great . When he returned to the ring in early 1999, he fractured his jaw in a decisive loss to Felix Trinidad for the I.B.F. Also, he made national headlines in 2014 when he evicted his mother out of the house he bought in 1984 for her after winning a gold medal. https://t.co/OzPUCeBmgK. [22][23] Whitaker was suspended for six months, but the commission lifted the suspension after he agreed to random testing and his title bout with Quartey was to proceed as scheduled, however, the bout was cancelled after Whitaker tested positive for a second time. Whitaker had been going head to head against the matriarch of his seven-child family since last fall when he began eviction proceedings after unsuccessfully trying to convince his mother to move, his lawyer, Bruce Gould told ABC News. Sweet Pea has two siblings: a brother, Raymond, Jr., and a sister, Monique. [2] He had six siblings, two brothers, Raymond Whitaker, Jr, Raynell Whitaker; and four sisters; Zelda Brown, Sylvonia Whitaker, Lucinda Manley, and Monique Williams. He passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Other than this, there is no other information on his parents, siblings, or documented on his education. His is a Hall of Fame legacy, which we are forever grateful to call our own heritage. He was a flawless fighter. He then faced the undefeated Oscar De La Hoya in 1997 for the W.B.C. The driver of the car remained at the scene, and the police said they were investigating the incident. He finished his professional career with an official record of 40-4-1 (17 knockouts). Somebody that Ive always loved to watch and wanted to meet so bad and now it will never happen. Boxing community reacts to tragic death of Pernell Whitaker, Pernell Whitaker diedafter being struck by a vehicle. He was small in statue but yet so big in heart and skills inside the ring, there will never be another like him, he will truly be missed pic.twitter.com/IqmXkqpqkG, May you Rest In Peace.. Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker! I always wanted a church wedding, Anthony said, but since we cant seem to keep Pete out of the boxing ring, I guess this is the best place.. Hell be a son forever until death do us part, but he is putting a rip through the family, said Whitakers eldest sister, Zelda Brown. Whitaker was awarded an official knockdown in the 9th round and, according to CompuBox stats, outlanded De La Hoya in overall punches and connect percentage, using the jab as his primary weapon; but De La Hoya threw and landed almost twice as many power punches and had a slightly higher power punch connect percentage than Whitaker and showed more agression in the fight, which may have been the key factors in De La Hoya winning by a disputed unanimous decision. #PernellWhitaker pic.twitter.com/IZv3IQOo2f, It was an honor to share the ring with him. "An artist in the ring, 'Sweet Pea' appeared on our World Championship Boxing platform for a decade [1990-1999], giving fans many unforgettable moments. In terms of his defense and ring generalship, Pernell Whitaker was the best fighter that I ever fought. After his retirement in 2001, Whitaker returned to the sport as a trainer. Moreover, from the age of nine, he started his training in an amateur boxing career. Whitaker won titles in the lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight divisions. Following the loss to De La Hoya, Whitaker outpointed Andrey Pestriev but tested positive for cocaine, and the result was changed to a no decision. Whitaker was survived by his five children. He broke his clavicle in round four and was forced to retire; at the time of the stoppage Whitaker was trailing in all the judges' scorecards by 28-29. Whitaker was a legendary boxer who multiple titles in. [12] The now-defuncted Bert Sugar's Boxing Illustrated" magazine had a heading on the cover of its post-fight edition telling readers not to buy the issue if they really believed "The Fight" was a draw.[13]. Main Events was promoting a card at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center. We're told officials received a call around 10:04 PM in response to an accident at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road. He was 55. . By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. [18], For his part, De La Hoya wasn't too pleased with his own performance against Whitaker and had hinted at a possible rematch to prove that he could do better against him. He was 55. Pernell Whitaker, an Olympic gold medalist and four division champion who was regarded as one of the greatest defensive fighters ever, has died after being hit by a car in Virginia.

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