Pernell Whitaker was the Willie Pep of my generation. An outstanding amateur and an Olympic gold medalist in 1984, he won his first 15 professional fights (including a win over Roger Mayweather), and his sixteenth, in 1988, was a challenge for the WBC world lightweight title!
In that fight, Whitaker dropped a controversial split decision to the outstanding Mexican lightweight Jose Luis Ramirez. Ramirez was the far more experienced fighter, sporting a record of 100-6. Whitaker was clearly advanced beyond his record, dazzling Rameriz. Whitaker's mistake was putting on too keen a defensive effort, which left Ramirez appearing to have made more of a fight of it. Most observers believe Whitaker was robbed. It would not be the first time controversy would surround a Whitaker fight.
Four fights later, Whitaker was matched with Ramirez again were matched again four and this time Whitaker was awarded a clear unanimous decision, claiming a part of the lightweight championship. He defended his claim twice, including a win over all-time great Azumah Nelson (32-1). Nelson had, in only his 14th professional fight, nearly defeated the great featherweight Salvador Sanchez, and six fights later he knocked out Wilfredo Gomez for the WBC featherweight. The fight with Whitaker was close, but Whitaker's size and skill prevailed.
In 1990, Whitaker unified the lightweight championship by picking up the WBA title in a one-round blowout of Juan Nazario. He defended the world championship three times.
By 1992, Whitaker had outgrown the lightweight division and set his sites on the welterweight champion James McGirt (59-2-1). Whitaker outpointed McGirt over twelve rounds in 1993. Whitaker would defend the welterweight championship eight times, including a controversial draw against Julio Cesar Chavez (87-0) and a rematch with James McGirt (64-3-1). The Chavez draw was a big disappointment, as most observers felt Whitaker won the fight convincingly. Whitaker also ventured into the middleweight division, defeating Julio Cesar Vasquez (53-1) over 12 rounds.
In 1997, Whitaker lost his welterweight championship to Oscar de la Hoya in a controversial 12 round decision. It is this writer's opinion that Whitaker deserved the verdict. There would be no rematch.
In 1999, Whitaker lost a lopsided decision to Felix Trinidad. It was clear Whitaker was not the same fighter he was before. Rumors had it that he was using cocaine. In fact, his victory over Andrei Pestriaev was converted to a no contest after he tested positive for cocaine.
In 2001, Whitaker fought one more fight, a fight in which he broke his clavicle, and hung up the gloves for good.
Whitaker retired with a record of 40-4-1. However, only two of those blemishes were deserved. He deserved wins over Ramirez, Chavez, and de la Hoya. His final record should read 43-2.
Whitaker, a left hander, was a defensive wizard, proving to be very difficult to hit cleanly. He was awkward offensively and often befuddled his opponents. His fight with Chavez is an excellent illustration of his ability to stay in the field of danger while avoiding taking any significant punishment. He was one of those rare instances of a master boxer. The fact that he accomplished such a high level of performance while having relatively few ring bouts (he claimed his first title in only his 20th bout) makes his career even more astonishing. At the same time, this was disappointing for fight fans, as we would like to have seen a lot more of Whitaker in the ring. He was a real joy to watch, and one of the greatest lightweights and welterweights in ring history.
In that fight, Whitaker dropped a controversial split decision to the outstanding Mexican lightweight Jose Luis Ramirez. Ramirez was the far more experienced fighter, sporting a record of 100-6. Whitaker was clearly advanced beyond his record, dazzling Rameriz. Whitaker's mistake was putting on too keen a defensive effort, which left Ramirez appearing to have made more of a fight of it. Most observers believe Whitaker was robbed. It would not be the first time controversy would surround a Whitaker fight.
Four fights later, Whitaker was matched with Ramirez again were matched again four and this time Whitaker was awarded a clear unanimous decision, claiming a part of the lightweight championship. He defended his claim twice, including a win over all-time great Azumah Nelson (32-1). Nelson had, in only his 14th professional fight, nearly defeated the great featherweight Salvador Sanchez, and six fights later he knocked out Wilfredo Gomez for the WBC featherweight. The fight with Whitaker was close, but Whitaker's size and skill prevailed.
In 1990, Whitaker unified the lightweight championship by picking up the WBA title in a one-round blowout of Juan Nazario. He defended the world championship three times.
By 1992, Whitaker had outgrown the lightweight division and set his sites on the welterweight champion James McGirt (59-2-1). Whitaker outpointed McGirt over twelve rounds in 1993. Whitaker would defend the welterweight championship eight times, including a controversial draw against Julio Cesar Chavez (87-0) and a rematch with James McGirt (64-3-1). The Chavez draw was a big disappointment, as most observers felt Whitaker won the fight convincingly. Whitaker also ventured into the middleweight division, defeating Julio Cesar Vasquez (53-1) over 12 rounds.
In 1997, Whitaker lost his welterweight championship to Oscar de la Hoya in a controversial 12 round decision. It is this writer's opinion that Whitaker deserved the verdict. There would be no rematch.
In 1999, Whitaker lost a lopsided decision to Felix Trinidad. It was clear Whitaker was not the same fighter he was before. Rumors had it that he was using cocaine. In fact, his victory over Andrei Pestriaev was converted to a no contest after he tested positive for cocaine.
In 2001, Whitaker fought one more fight, a fight in which he broke his clavicle, and hung up the gloves for good.
Whitaker retired with a record of 40-4-1. However, only two of those blemishes were deserved. He deserved wins over Ramirez, Chavez, and de la Hoya. His final record should read 43-2.
Whitaker, a left hander, was a defensive wizard, proving to be very difficult to hit cleanly. He was awkward offensively and often befuddled his opponents. His fight with Chavez is an excellent illustration of his ability to stay in the field of danger while avoiding taking any significant punishment. He was one of those rare instances of a master boxer. The fact that he accomplished such a high level of performance while having relatively few ring bouts (he claimed his first title in only his 20th bout) makes his career even more astonishing. At the same time, this was disappointing for fight fans, as we would like to have seen a lot more of Whitaker in the ring. He was a real joy to watch, and one of the greatest lightweights and welterweights in ring history.
No comments:
Post a Comment