Pernell Whitaker

Pernell Whitaker was a professional boxer from 1984 to 2001, who won titles at lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight. His boxing career spanned over 16 years, during which he fought in 46 bouts and won 40, with 17 of those wins coming via knockouts. Whitaker was born on January 2, 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia, and passed away at the age of 55 on July 14, 2019, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A southpaw with a reach of 69 inches, Whitaker was known for his defensive skills and is touted as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time.

Whitaker's professional boxing debut was in 1984 against Farrain Comeaux, which he won via a second-round TKO. He went on to win 14 consecutive fights, including eight via stoppages. In 1988, Whitaker had his first world title fight against Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC title, which ended in a 12-round split-decision loss. However, he did not let this deter him and came back stronger, winning his first title, the IBF lightweight title in 1989 after defeating Greg Haugen. He also won the WBC and The Ring belts by avenging his previous loss and defeating José Luis Ramirez on August 20, 1989.

Having become a champion, Whitaker dominated the middle divisions of boxing for half of the 1990s. In August 1990, he knocked out Juan Nazario in the first round to win the WBA and vacant lineal lightweight titles, becoming the first undisputed lightweight champion since Roberto Durán. He defended his lightweight title against future champions Freddie Pendleton and Azumah Nelson in 1990, then defended the WBA, WBC, and IBF lightweight titles against Jorge Páez in 1991. Whitaker also won the IBF light-welterweight title from Colombian puncher Rafael Pineda in 1992 and the lineal and WBC welterweight title against Buddy McGirt via a 12 round unanimous decision on March 6, 1993.

Whitaker’s career highlight was against Julio César Chávez, the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world. The two met in a welterweight superfight named “The Fight” on September 10, 1993, where Whitaker outboxed the Mexican legend. However, the judges declared a majority draw, with Sports Illustrated’s post-fight edition reading “ROBBED!” across the cover. Whitaker continued to defend his welterweight title against Santos Cardona in 1994 and against McGirt in a rematch on October 1, 1994.

In his next fight on March 4, 1995, Whitaker defeated Julio César Vásquez and added the WBA super welterweight title to his collection. This win made history for Whitaker, as he became only the fourth fighter – joining the ranks of Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roberto Durán – to have won a legitimate world title in four different weight classes.

Whitaker returned to welterweight and successfully defended his WBC title against Scotland's Gary Jacobs on August 26, 1995. In January 1997, Whitaker put his title on the line against Cuban fighter Diosbelys Hurtado. Hurtado gave Whitaker all he could handle and then some. With Hurtado on all the judges’ scorecards going into the 11th round, Whitaker landed a left hook that hurt Hurtado and, in a rare display of aggression and power, unleashed a barrage of left-handed power.

Whitaker’s career as a professional boxer came to an end in 2001. His last professional fight was a non-title bout against Carlos Bojorquez at the age of 37 on April 27, 2001, where he lost the fight via a fourth-round TKO. Whitaker retired from professional boxing with a record of 40-4-1, including 17 knockout wins and one loss via knockout and seven title wins. After retirement, Whitaker returned to the sport as a trainer.

Before his professional career, Whitaker had a successful amateur career, winning a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championships, followed by gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Pernell Whitaker had a total of four losses in his professional boxing career, with one each from title bout and one from a non-title bout. Whitaker lost to Jose Luis Ramirez in his first world-title fight via a 12-round split-decision on March 12, 1988. He also lost to Félix Trinidad via a 12-round unanimous decision fighting for the IBF welterweight title on February 20, 1999. Meanwhile, he suffered his other two losses via the judges' decision.

Whitaker won seven world titles at four different weight classes in his professional boxing career. Some of his notable victories include winning against two Hall-of-Famers, Buddy McGirt and Azumah Nelson, Juan Nazario, José Luis Ramírez, Jorge Páez, and Wilfredo Rivera.

Pernell Whitaker retired from the sport with a record of 40 wins, 4 losses, and one draw. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility. His defensive skills, unique techniques, and exceptional footwork during his boxing career made him a great boxer and a legendary figure in the sport of boxing.

Pernell Whitaker Fight Record