Where would you rate Pernell Whitaker among the all time great lightweights?

I have always thought rather highly of Pernell "sweet pea " Whitaker, particularly for his work at lightweight. He was beating some very good fighters at an early stage in his career, ended up unifying the crown, and his only loss at that weight was deemed as one of the worst robberies in the history of the sport... His efforts at welterweight were very good too, and he definitely deserved the nod over the 87-0 Chavez.

I don't know where people rate him these days, but we don't seem to see a great deal of threads on him lately.

 

Top 10 definitely.

He was sublime at lightweight. He shut so many decent challengers out, good fighters who couldn't win a round against him. They couldn't lay a glove on him actually.

 

The fight with Chavez was declared a Draw, not a loss.

That said, he's unquestionably in the top 10, if not top 5. Depends on your criteria, really. Certainly one of the very best we have on film at the weight.

 

Should be in everyone's lightweight top 10, which is saying something considering the talent that division's had go through it.

 

I agree with all your points. I am also aware that the fight was declared a draw and not a loss, but still feel he deserved the nod... I saw the fight live on pay per view back then.

 

Although he cleaned the division out, his lightweight resume is not all that great (historically speaking).

But in terms of ability he'd give everyone at the weight all they could handle.

 

From the 1940's on I'll mention a few swarmers who would have licked wily Whitaker at lighweight...Here are a few
Henry Armstrong
Ike Williams,tall,fast and a murderous puncher when uncuffed
Beau Jack, a tireless dynamo
Robert Duran
Shane Mosely, underated at 135 pounds
Whitaker could only dodge so much bullets...by great volume punchers...

 

His ability was greater then his resume at the weight. Top ten.

 

Depends on your juging criteria but hes arguably the very best of the lot

 

I agree with Armstrong as a certain pick. I think Williams, Jack and Duran have a 50/50 chance. Mosley, well, he looked great at lw and very big but his opposition was subpar. I don't think he would be up to the task.

 

No they wouldnt, Williams and Mosley especially get the ears boxed off

 

You think more highly of Willie Joyce than you do Whitaker, Burt?

 

Grigorian was as good as Mosley.


Just sayin...

 

There's not been a fighter thats ever lived that would of licked Whitaker as you put it, if you want to pick someone to beat that fair enough, but no ones licking him

greatest Hd 2 Hd lightweight ever in my opinion