I want to pick Pernell,but looking at his size difference with Tito I'm afraid of his size disadvantage vs Honeyghan,who was a big bully.
I like this answer. Honeyghan was a bit of a beast at his best. I think he'd batter him like he did Curry, forcing the ref or his corner to stop the fight.
Whitaker was way past his prime vs Tito and still won some rounds and made it somewhat competitive. Not only is Tito considerably bigger than Honeyghan he's a much harder puncher. Whitaker has also beaten Julio Cesar Vasquez at Jr Middleweight who was bigger than Honeyghan. Whitaker in his prime would win a comfortable decision over Honeyghan different level of fighter.
Really like Honeyghan. Terrific wins over Curry,Bumphus, Gianfranco Rosi (brilliant one punch ko in Italy against future 2 time Light-middle champ), Blocker and Hatcher. The Hatcher and Bumphus (who looked completely shot but coming off a 6 round Technical decision win over Starling) looked spectacular but they were both faded light-welter champs. Whittaker was an exceptional talent, not necessarily my cup of tea but his skill were sublime. Not so great at welter, had trouble with classy McGirt for a few rounds in both fights, wasn´t that impressive at super-welter with Vazquez though a quality win and probably deserved to lose the 1st Wilfredo Rivera win and looked very shaky vs Hurtado though great comeback win. Lloyd is a better boxer than given credit, hits really hard and before all the partying took over was a tough fighter to beat. I think he would have lots of success vs Pernell early on but Sweet Pea was a superb fighter and I think he would rally from the 5th round by outboxing the Brit and use his underrated body attack to slow him down for a surprising exciting points win.
I’m torn. I think Sweet Pea is a tough puzzle for anyone to figure out at 135 or 140. Less so at 147. He wasn’t prime at that weight and the Ragamuffin man was. Lloyd was naturally larger and a high-energy fighter. I think Pea would control the distance enough with that jab and was just a tad too clever for Honeyghan and eeks out a close decision, but the size, strength and power in favor of the Brit makes it harder to call than it should be. P4P it’s no contest if we’re talking prime vs prime, but Whitaker’s prime was at least a division below.
Honey was an explosive frontrunner who could fade badly if a fight went past the halfway mark. Whitaker should withstand whatever early onslaught he brings & then pick him apart down the stretch. Pea by dec or possibly late stoppage IMO.
