Pernell Whitaker (Sweet Pea) was an American professional boxer. He was a four-weightclass world champion with 7 world-title wins. In a career spanning 16 years, 5 months, and 12 days, Whitaker amassed a record of 40-4-1, which includes 17 wins via KO, 4 of which were in world-title fights. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 2007.
Pernell Whitaker was born in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. on January 2, 1964. He made his professional debut at the age of 20 years on November 15, 1984 against Farrain Comeaux. Whitaker defeated Comeaux via 2nd round TKO, making a successful beginning of his pro career.
Whitaker got his first shot at a world title at the age of 24 after 15 professional fights. On March 12, 1988 Whitaker challenged Jose Luis Ramírez' WBC lightweight title but lost via 12-round split decision.
He became a world champion on February 18, 1989 at the age of 25 years, after by defeating Greg Haugen, the then-reining IBF lightweight champion, via 12-round unanimous decision. This was his 18th fight as a professional.
Whitaker then went on to successfully conquer the super-lightweight (IBF), welterweight (WBC), and super-welterweight (WBA) divisions as well to become a four-division world champion — and undisputed at lightweight.
Whitaker's last fight was a 4th-round TKO loss to Carlos Bojorquez at age 37, on April 27, 2001.
Some of Pernell Whitaker's best fights were against Julio César Chávez (HOFer), Azumah Nelson (HOFer), Juan Nazario, Buddy McGirt (HOFer), Greg Haugen, Roger Mayweather, and Jose Luis Ramirez. For a complete list of Whitaker's best fights and their details, refer to "Best fights of Pernell Whitaker".
Whitaker has 4 losses on his record. For details about these losses refer to "Pernell Whitaker Losses".
# | Date | Age | Opponent | Res | Via |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
46 | Apr 27, 2001 | 37 | Carlos Bojorquez | loss | TKO 4 |
45 | Feb 20, 1999 | 35 |
Félix Trinidad 26 33-0 | loss | UD 12 |
44 | Oct 17, 1997 | 33 | Andrey Pestryayev | nc | NA
|
43 | Apr 12, 1997 | 33 |
Oscar De La Hoya 24 23-0 | loss | UD 12 |
42 | Jan 24, 1997 | 33 | Diosbelys Hurtado | win | TKO 11 |
41 | Sep 20, 1996 | 32 |
Wilfredo Rivera 27 23-1-1 | win | UD 12 |
40 | Apr 12, 1996 | 32 |
Wilfredo Rivera 26 23-0-1 | win | SD 12 |
39 | Nov 18, 1995 | 31 | Jake Rodríguez | win | KO 6 |
38 | Aug 26, 1995 | 31 | Gary Jacobs | win | UD 12 |
37 | Mar 04, 1995 | 31 | Julio César Vásquez | win | UD 12 |
36 | Oct 01, 1994 | 30 |
Buddy McGirt 30 64-3-1 | win | UD 12 |
35 | Apr 09, 1994 | 30 | Santos Cardona | win | UD 12 |
34 | Sep 10, 1993 | 29 |
Julio César Chávez 31 87-0 | draw | MD 12 |
33 | Mar 06, 1993 | 29 |
Buddy McGirt 29 59-2-1 | win | UD 12 |
32 | Dec 01, 1992 | 28 | Ben Baez | win | KO 1 |
31 | Jul 18, 1992 | 28 | Rafael Pineda | win | UD 12 |
30 | May 22, 1992 | 28 | Jerry Smith | win | KO 1 |
29 | Jan 18, 1992 | 28 | Harold Brazier | win | UD 10 |
28 | Oct 05, 1991 | 27 |
Jorge Páez 25 38-3-4 | win | UD 12 |
27 | Jul 27, 1991 | 27 | Poli Díaz | win | UD 12 |
26 | Feb 23, 1991 | 27 | Anthony Jones | win | UD 12 |
25 | Nov 22, 1990 | 26 | Benjie Marquez | win | UD 10 |
24 | Aug 11, 1990 | 26 |
Juan Nazario 26 22-2 | win | KO 1 |
23 | May 19, 1990 | 26 |
Azumah Nelson 31 31-1 | win | UD 12 |
22 | Feb 03, 1990 | 26 | Freddie Pendleton | win | UD 12 |
21 | Dec 11, 1989 | 25 | Martin Galvan | win | TKO 3 |
20 | Aug 20, 1989 | 25 |
José Luis Ramírez 30 102-7 | win | UD 12 |
19 | Apr 30, 1989 | 25 | Louie Lomeli | win | TKO 3 |
18 | Feb 18, 1989 | 25 |
Greg Haugen 28 23-1 | win | UD 12 |
17 | Nov 02, 1988 | 24 | Antonio Carter | win | TKO 4 |
16 | Mar 12, 1988 | 24 |
Jose Luis Ramírez 29 100-6 | loss | SD 12 |
15 | Dec 19, 1987 | 23 | Davey Montana | win | TKO 4 |
14 | Jul 25, 1987 | 23 | Miguel Santana | win | TKO 6 |
13 | Jun 28, 1987 | 23 | Jim Flores | win | TKO 1 |
12 | Mar 28, 1987 | 23 |
Roger Mayweather 25 26-4 | win | UD 12 |
11 | Dec 20, 1986 | 22 | Alfredo Layne | win | UD 10 |
10 | Oct 09, 1986 | 22 | Rafael Gandarilla | win | UD 10 |
9 | Aug 16, 1986 | 22 | Rafael Williams | win | UD 10 |
8 | Mar 09, 1986 | 22 | John Montes | win | UD 10 |
7 | Nov 12, 1985 | 21 | Jesus De la Cruz | win | TKO 1 |
6 | Aug 29, 1985 | 21 | Teddy Hatfield | win | KO 3 |
5 | Jul 20, 1985 | 21 | John Senegal | win | TKO 2 |
4 | Apr 20, 1985 | 21 | Nick Parker | win | UD 6 |
3 | Mar 13, 1985 | 21 | Mike Golden | win | TKO 4 |
2 | Jan 20, 1985 | 21 | Danny Avery | win | TKO 4 |
1 | Nov 15, 1984 | 20 | Farrain Comeaux | win | TKO 2 |