Pernell Whitaker: Most Underated Boxer on ESB By a Landslide

When I say he presents a tougher matchup for Whitaker stylistically, it is all to do with matchups, not exactly who's the better fighter. I don't consider Pryor at his best to be better than Duran, just a slightly tougher stylistic matchup for Whitaker.

I think, both at their best around 140, Duran beats Pryor. I think this matchup favors Duran quite handily because of his body punching ability. If there was one thing in Arguello's arsenal that affected Pryor and took him off his attack at times, it was his body punching. Duran was not only a better body puncher in general, but also had a style much better suited for such a high-paced bout than Arguello, and was natural at the weight. As Pryor swarms in, Duran would focus on going to the body and landing the more effective blows on the inside, looking to slow Pryor down, which he would, for the later rounds. In a 15 rounder, I'd take Duran by late stoppage. Probably by Decision in a 12 rounder.

I can't say fully how Pryor would do at 147, never seeing him at his best there, but based on style matchups, I think Hearns would starch him quite early to be honest. I put no bearing on this matchup on how their amateur matchup went, as Hearns was a 17 year old kid with no power in those days. In fact, Hearns only had 12 KO's as an amateur and didn't develop his power until he became a pro and developed the right hand and leverage under Steward.

I think Leonard would beat him as well, especially at 147, being as we haven't seen a top Pryor there, and Leonard's speed, power, and combination punching should be able to get the job done. The ducking accusations there hold no bearing, as I've posted on before.

I'd take Pryor to beat guys like Chavez though, being as he'd outwork him and not allow Chavez to get into his rhythm, likely outworking and outlanding him like Taylor. I'd take Duran to beat him because he was a great brawler and a higher paced fighter than Chavez, more versatile as well. So while I think Chavez's body punches could effect Pryor, I don't think he would fight as effectively as Duran.

 

:good Great analysis. Well, its been a pleasure Sweetpea and Brooklyn, Im off for the night, just seen Witter lose, seeing how Froch does next, til next time, take it easy :good

 

Good talking with you. I'll keep searching for the Barrera picture:good

 

Appreciate it mate :good One question, just out of interest, where do you have Duran ATG ranking? just for curiosity sakes :hey

 

He falls at the 7th or 8th spots on my list. You?

 

Well, considering my list is probably a little naive, in the sense I will only (stubbornly or not) rank fighters I have seen enough of to gauge a proper opinion of, I have him probably 5th or 6th, but like I say, my knowledge probably doesnt rank as high as yours or others, therefore it is slightly uneducated in a sense.

1) Armstrong
=1/2) Robinson
3) pep
4)Greb

the list is too vast for me to concieve a list I am happy with in its totality, more research is needed on my front. Duran lands 5th or 6th anywhere though from all the fights I have seen, I sometimes forget to close my mouth when watching him

 

:huh

 

I allow certain exceptions...I allow certain resumes/stigmas/perceptions/analysis' of fighters lead me to a certain conclusion.robinson would be included too in that respect, a contradiction I know.

 

Hope you don't mean that Hearns cannot outbox Whitaker. I don't believe anyone could have outboxed Hearns at WW, SWW or possibly even MW.

 

That's not what he meant, he was just re-inforcing the title of his thread by stating how difficult a matchup Pea is at his best, he wasn't saying I was underrating Whitaker by giving him no chance of beating Hearns. I don't think anyone would accuse me of underrating Whitaker.

I agree that at 147 he is impossible to outbox, as well as JMW, though I think McCallum could've beaten him. At 160 though, there are perhaps a few, namely Roy Jones, who could've "outboxed" him.

 

I saw pacquiao being compared to whitaker before.

now that....that is just a ****ing disgrace. and gueeeeeeeees who did that one?

 

Great fighter, probably the best fighter of the past 20 years. I've never underrated him, the thing that I think gets underrated is his toughness. He fought a prime Trinidad as a coke head, was knocked down and had his jaw broken and was able to last the distance, winning a couple rounds. It takes a special type of human (not even fighter) to come back from that kind of adversity.

 

He might be "underappreciated" on this board and in general, but he's not "underrated" here on ESB. He would be though if Sweet Pea ever slept. :good

 

Agree 100% with the original point of this post!!!

 

Whitaker is right up my street regarding style. He had a superb jab, was quick with his hands and feet, could box laterally as well as on the backfoot. And he was very good when playing the role of the bull. Whitaker wasn't out of his comfort zone when he came forward aggressively. Some people forget that, but it's understandable as he comes to mind, first and foremost, as defensive master.

I have his pro debut on video and he stood in front of his opponent and let his hands go with real authority and had the kid outta there inside a round. He also dropped Nazario heavily inside the first round of their lightweight unification fight in 1990, WBC/WBA/IBF. Whitaker let go with a long left hand on Nazario, landing around the temple, and he was down for about 5 minutes. Not something that Whitaker gets tagged with, but he looked like a puncher that night. Rare moment and often forgotten.

Whitaker had a brilliant balance when it came to offense and defense. Why? Because he was always in position to punch. His balance was right on the money. Like every superb genuis he could get careless. Many of his knockdowns came when he was crouching down inside, thus giving his opponent a chance to clip him. Very similar to when he dropped De La Hoya actually. Which IMO was a slip/knockdown. No alarm bells ringing when it came to his senses evaporating.

Whitaker became a bit more flat-footed after he moved up to welterweight. He was inclinded to stand in there more often than not. Against McGirt in the rematch he used his face as a punching bag down the stretch. One fight I urge everyone to check out, the Rivera rematch. Probably the most underrated performance of his career was the Vazquez fight at 154lbs. His jab was firing on all cylinders, his reflexes as sharp as a razor, and his overall style was very close to how he fought at his peak.

Whitaker and Duran are polar opposites stylistically. Duran gets overlooked when it comes to boxing ability, ring generalship, and his defense. Just like with Whitaker's durablity and inside work often getting the same treatment.