Pernell Whitaker

Pernell Whitaker was a southpaw regarded as one of history's greatest defensive fighters and a four-weight world champion.

Pernell Whitaker was born on 2 January 1964 in Norfolk, Virginia, to Raymond and Novella Whitaker, and grew up in the Youngs Park Housing Community, where he began boxing at just nine years old. A dazzling amateur career saw him compile a record of 201 wins against 14 losses, and he won a silver medal at the 1982 World Championships, gold at the 1983 Pan American Games, and Olympic gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Whitaker turned professional immediately after his Olympic triumph and developed into one of the finest defensive boxers the sport has ever produced, renowned for his elusive southpaw style that made him exceptionally difficult to hit cleanly. Nicknamed "Sweet Pea," he became a four-weight world champion across lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight. Whitaker's most controversial moment came in 1993, when many observers believed he had clearly defeated Julio César Chávez, only for the fight to be scored a draw — a decision still regarded as one of the most contentious in boxing history. He was named Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year in 1989 and was ranked the tenth-greatest boxer of the previous 80 years by the same publication in 2002. Whitaker retired in 2001 with a record of 40 wins, four losses, and one draw, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006. He became a boxing trainer, working with fighters including Zab Judah, before his death on 14 July 2019, at age 55, after being struck by a vehicle near his home in Virginia Beach.

Southpaw defensive specialist with exceptional footwork

One of the greatest defensive boxers and pound-for-pound fighters

• Ring Fighter of Year 1989
• International Boxing Hall of Fame 2006