Pernell Whitaker vs Antonio Cervantes @140

The great Cervantes by a knockout.

 

I can see them splitting three fights, with one being a draw. I feel the bouts would inevitably become of that close nature.

 

I see Pernell outboxing Cervantes and winning a close UD.

 

50/50, but I am more inclined to think Pernell had a slight edge due to his boxing ability.

 

I already answered on another thread, but I think Whitaker would win a decision in a fight that Kid Pambele gives him problems.

 

Cervantes had trouble with slick boxers . He lost title to a defensive wizard
in Wilfred Benitez. There is no modern fighter who defense was better than
Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea on pts.

 

Tough fight as both were all time greats and while Cervantes was taller and had a longer reach Whitaker was so exceptional I give him a decision edge in a pretty competitive fight ..

 

Sweet Pete wide ud paint job

 

Whitaker in a close one ,he'd have to ride a few rough waves here though.

 

I see Cervantes stopping him late in the bout.

 

Really scar? Pea was never close to being stopped and took heavy, heavy punishment from the much bigger Trinidad when far past his best. There's pretty much no chance that Cervantes stops him, for me, great though he was. I'd actually make him a clear underdog full stop, his struggles with Locche twice and Benitez showed how he was susceptible to high-end defensive talents, and Whitaker was definitely that. Cervantes was too accurate and rangy a counter puncher to not take a few rounds at least from Pea but I think he'd be outjabbed and outmanoevred on the whole. Not a nice fight for him stylewise, though there's always the caveat that Whitaker never faced anyone with his combination of skills and physical attributes combined I suppose.

 

I'd like his chances better if he'd been a consistently dedicated body puncher, but he was always more of a headhunter.

 

I was just never really impressed with Whitaker's jaw. Of course he could get on his bike and last the distance, but I believe it would be a real uphill climb. Like you said, Cervantes was taller and rangier and I think it would make for a different kind of battle. I guess its all how we envision a fight unfolding. For the record I feel Whitaker was a far better lightweight than he was in his brief stay at 140 and longer stay at 147.

 

It's funny how we can perceive things differently, yeah. I disagree a bit with you here for once as I often find myself in agreement with your posts but respect your opinion and experience.