{UAH} Pernell Whitaker dead: Boxing great killed after being hit by car

Pernell "Sweat Pea" Whitaker who died yesterday in Virginia, USA, aged 55, after being knocked down by a motor vehicle, will be remembered by boxing fans as one of the greatest boxers who lived. Sweat Pea is ranked variously in the top 10 of the Best Boxers  to grace the ring.

An Olympic gold medalist, Whitaker is generally regarded as the best defensive boxer the world has seen. He elevated the art of defense to  heights that may never be seen again. Even his successor to the title of best defensive boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr has never been able to reach the heights  Whitaker set the bar at. Between 1993-1997, he was regarded as the best, pound for pound, boxer in the world. he won world titles at four different weights.

Whitaker had sleek movement, supersonic reactions, and super human intuition and anticipation that enabled him to see punches even  before they had been thrown, skills which dove-tailed beautifully with his mersmerising  hand speed and rapid fire punching power which often left opponents bemused, confused and floundering helplessly around the ring. Whitaker  once went six rounds against an opponent without getting hit with a single punch- and this was in a world title fight. His best fights were against Roger Mayweather and Buddy McGirt.

Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was one of a kind. He is irreplaceable and will be missed by all boxing fans. RIP.

Bobby

Pernell Whitaker dead: Boxing great killed after being hit by car

The American, affectionally known as 'Sweet Pea' during his fighting career, was hit in Virginia Beach on Sunday night

• Samuel Lovett @samueljlovett
• 1 hour ago 

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Sport

Pernell Whitaker, the former four-weight world champion, has died after being struck by a car at the age of 55.

The American, affectionally known as 'Sweet Pea' during his fighting career, was hit at an intersection in Virginia Beach on Sunday night. According to local police, Whitaker succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

The incident, which took place at 10.04pm, remains under investigation by Virginia Beach Police Department. The driver of the vehicle is known to the authorities.

Tributes to Whitaker, who was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, have poured in from the boxing community after news of his death emerged.

The American, affectionally known as 'Sweet Pea' during his fighting career, was hit at an intersection in Virginia Beach on Sunday night. According to local police, Whitaker succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

The incident, which took place at 10.04pm, remains under investigation by Virginia Beach Police Department. The driver of the vehicle is known to the authorities.

Tributes to Whitaker, who was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, have poured in from the boxing community after news of his death emerged.

Former world champion Frank Bruno tweeted: "So sorry to hear of the passing of a defensive genius and one of the all time greats, Pernell Whittaker. May he rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family & close ones. #sweetpea"

Barry McGuigan, the ex-WBA and lineal featherweight world champion, wrote: "What shocking news Pernell Whitaker has died after being hit by a car. RIP Champ, deepest sympathies to his family." Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "Rest in eternal peace Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker – IMO the greatest defensive fighter of all time."

ESPN broadcaster and former HBO Boxing commentator Max Kellerman said: "The best lightweight I ever saw passed away today. Yes, that includes Roberto Duran, Floyd Mayweather, Ike Williams, and anyone else you want to mention. RIP Pernell Whitaker."

Throughout his professional career, which ran from 1984 to 2001, Whitaker clinched titles at lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight.

In 1989, he was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. From 1993 to 1997, The Ringranked him as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time.

Whitaker also enjoyed Olympic success as an amateur. He competed at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, beating Luis Ortiz to win gold as a lightweight.

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EXCLUSIVE Pernell Whitaker: I'M The GREATEST Defensive Fighter ...

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