Pernell Whitaker was an American professional boxer who had his fights from 1984 to 2001. Then he later worked as a boxing trainer in his hometown Virginia after his retirement. But unfortunately, he had a car accident in which he lost his life on the spot in Virginia Street on 14 July 2019. Additionally, he has gained his nickname as ‘Sweet Pea’.
Though he was not particularly hard puncher still considered as a strong counterpuncher. Also, Whitaker was known for his outstanding defensive skills who applied a consistent offense which makes it difficult for his opponents to hit with a solid punch. In his amateur career, he won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championship. In addition, he won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and 1983 Pan American Games. Let us scroll over to know more about his personal details.
Caption: Pernell Whitaker, late American professional boxer.
Source: Business Insider
Pernell Whitaker: Bio, Family, Education
He was born on 2 January 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was born as the son to parents Raymond Whitaker Sr. and his wife, Novella Whitaker. Sweet Pea has two siblings: a brother, Raymond, Jr., and a sister, Monique. Other than this, there is no other information on his parents, siblings, or documented on his education.
Moreover, from the age of nine, he started his training in an amateur boxing career. In 1984, he won his amateur career with an Olympic gold medal. He had up to 500 amateur fights but finished with 214 amateur fights winning with 201 and 91 of them knockouts.
Pernell Whitaker: Career & Life Achievements
With his defensive techniques and skilled counterpunch, he had fought from 1984 to 2001. In his lifetime career, he had won four-weight world champion with the titles lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight; the undisputed lightweight title; and the lineal lightweight and welterweight titles. Further, he holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history to date with six title defenses.
In 2002, The Ring ranked him in the list of 10th Greatest Fighter of the Last 80 Years. In 2001, he retired and then began another phase of his career as a professional coach from 2005. As a trainer, he trained Joel Julio and also the trainer for heavyweight Calvin Brock. Moreover, as a professional boxer, he played around 46 fights in which he won 40. He had inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
However, in his last fight with journeyman ‘Carlos Bojorquezz’, he broke his clavicle in fourth round which forced him to retire. Following the fight, he announced his retirement and recorded his professional career with 40-4-1 with 17 knockouts.
Pernell Whitaker: Personal Life, Wife, & Death
Speaking of his persona life, he had married Rovanda Anthony. The couple’s marriage held in the boxing ring at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center on 2 January 1964. However, their marriage didn’t go well and divorced after years. but no information regarding it. Further, the ex-couple welcomed four children: Devon Whitaker, Dominique Whitaker, Pernell Whitaker Jr., and Dantavious Whitaker. In addition, he also fathered a daughter Tiara Whitaker from his past relationship.
Moreover, in 2002, he was convicted of possessing cocaine after the judge found him violating the terms of his previous sentence in the month of March. Also, he made national headlines in 2014 when he evicted his mother out of the house he bought in 1984 for her after winning a gold medal. Outside the Virginia court, he said the ruling in his favor ‘a beautiful moment’.
The pro-boxer died at the age of 55 after hitting by a car in Virginia. According to reports, he was a pedestrian and while crossing the street in Virginia Beach, he was struck and killed by a vehicle and the driver remained on there. Whereas the boxer was sentenced dead at the spot.
Pernell Whitaker: Net Worth & Social Media Profiles
The former four-division world champion had made a good earning out of his career in his lifetime. However, at the time of his demise, his net worth has an estimation of around $5 million. His main source of income was from boxing as well as from his endorsements and advertisements.
Though he is not in this world anymore, he has a fan page account on different social media platforms. In his memory, there is an Instagram account @pernellwhitakerr with more than 2k followers.
Pernell Whitaker: Body Measurements
The late boxer had an average height of 5 feet 6 inches or 1.68 meters and weighs around 70 kg. His strong and fit body had a measurement of 42 inches chest, 32 inches waist, and 35 inches hips size. He had black eyes and black hair color.
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