There are those who view boxing as a sport that is ‘too violent and brutal’, and there are those who-whilst understanding that claim of undeniable barbarity-have a much broader perspective and appreciation for the sport. They appreciate the discipline and are allured by the bewitching craft of boxers who gracefully decorate the ring with their pivots, feints, and movement.
For all its savagery, boxing is much more than just two athletes trying to pummel each other into submission. For those that feel that way, I would ask them to examine someone whose fluidity and balletic poise in the ring would rival the most cultured of theatre performers. A boxer who was a meritorious student of ‘The Sweet Science’, Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker.
Pernell Whitaker breezed onto the professional boxing scene in the mid 80’s, just as the careers of tough, rugged stars like Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran were beginning to curtail. The snarling and unmistakably Mephistophelian look of Hagler and the hungered, savage appearance of Duran were superseded by a new, sharp, exuberant style of fighter.
Pernell Whitaker epitomised that shift in style, with fans appreciating the swagger and showmanship that accompanied the typical resilience of a fighter. ‘The Sweet Science’ was a phrase coined by British sportswriter Pierce Egan in 1813, referring to boxing as a sport which requires fighters to adopt a tactical and scientific approach. Few boxers captured this concept better than ‘Sweet Pea’ who embodied the mantra of ‘Hit and not get hit’.
Pernell Whitaker’s upper body movement and reactions were so impressive, it felt like a new way to enjoy watching boxing. Seeing him twist away from shots, hold his glove up tight to the side of his face to protect and deflect incoming hooks, he would almost contort his body and sway his torso from the hips backwards and from side to side. You could be forgiven for thinking that The Matrix movie sequence was based on slowed down footage from Whitaker’s fights he was that good. Of course, super slow-motion videos were not as accessible then as they are now. The modern-day catalogue of counter punching clips we see of fighters like Mayweather and Andre Ward show that Pernell Whitaker was well ahead of his time.
Boxing fans were used to seeing the excellent defence of someone like Roberto Duran, but it was a different type of defence that he employed. Duran would dance and dart his way into range with those familiar liquorice locks throwing out beads of sweat, so furious was his speed of head movement, whereas Whitaker had more of a reactionary, reflex defence. That was only part of his makeup though, once he had made a mockery of a boxer’s offensive approach with his footwork or by bouncing off a rope like a makeshift catapult, he would pepper them 2 or 3 times with his crisp southpaw jab. He also had a beautiful left hook.
The nickname Sweet Pea is ordinarily referred to as a term of endearment, but in my own mind, I like to think that the nickname was coined for a much more elaborate reason. The Sweet, in reference to the sweet science and the Pea in recognition of the peacock-like strut that became a feature of his performances.
Whitaker made his debut in 1984 in a Lightweight bout against unbeaten fellow US fighter Farrain Comeaux, in a card that also had Evander Holyfield, Tyrell Biggs, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor and Virgil Hill. It ended in a knockout win for Whitaker in round 2 and was the start of a run of 15 fights unbeaten. It was a run that saw him defeat Roger Mayweather-a former WBA and Lineal Super Featherweight and WBC Light Welterweight title holder-on his way to picking up NABF and USBA lightweight titles.
In his 16th fight and at the age of 24, he then fought hugely experienced Mexican Jose Luis Ramirez (100-6-0) for the WBC title. A controversial split decision defeat was Whitaker’s first loss. The two met again a year later in 1989, meanwhile ‘Sweet Pea’ had captured the IBF Lightweight title from Greg Haugen and had defended it against another Mexican, the unbeaten Louie Lomeli. This time the fight with Ramirez was conclusive and beyond dispute, a near shut out meant Whitaker gained the vacant WBC to add to his IBF title.
In August of 1990, Whitaker had an opportunity to unify the division, featuring on a dazzling card with Meldrick Taylor and Hector Camacho. A first-round victory against WBA Champion Nazario secured the win. Whitaker became the first Undisputed World Lightweight Champion since Roberto Duran in 1978.
His reputation escalated as he blitzed through the middle divisions, picking up the WBC Welterweight belt against Buddy McGirt. A string of successes at Welterweight, (and a draw against Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez, again with many feeling Whitaker had reason to feel aggrieved at the decision) set up one of the most glamorous bouts in boxing. A fight with Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. The bout billed ‘Pound for Pound’ was just that. A fight between two of the best pound-for -pound boxers in the world. Whitaker, a world champion in 4 different divisions and De La Hoya, 9 Years younger and already a three-weight champ.
Despite Whitaker’s incredible resume, the fight with De La Hoya is perhaps the one most people talk about. Possibly for more than one reason. It was a fight that saw Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya become increasingly frustrated as he tried to impose himself. De La Hoya throw ferocious shots in bunches, desperately trying to nail Whitaker and during one section of the fight, he threw around 15 shots, none of them connected as ‘Sweet Pea’ pivoted, rolled, and swerved out of the way and punctuated the sequence with his trademark, pronounced, peacock-like strut back to the corner to the delight of the crowd. He seemed impervious to the danger that a prime De La Hoya represented, and despite utilising his evasive skills, he outlanded De La Hoya in terms of punches in the fight, landing 232 to De La Hoya’s 191. He also scored a knockdown in round 9 with a left hook that briefly had De La Hoya floored. Ultimately, it was not deemed enough, De La Hoya took a unanimous decision with 2 scores of 116-110 and another score of 115-111. Whitaker was once again a victim of the judge’s scorecards.
Pernell Whitaker only fought a further three times before retiring. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside Roberto Duran. Their induction coming in their first year of eligibility. A successful training career was tragically cut short as he was struck by a vehicle at a crossing in Virginia and died at the age 55.
The style of Whitaker, the panache, the pizzaz, the way he would sling-shot a one two from a limbo position on the ropes made him an incredible watch. He spent his career ghosting in and out of range as his opponents punched at the empty space he vacated. Whilst Whitaker may have left a huge void, his spirit and presence is still very much felt when discussing the best ever lightweights.
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