If we're taking each man at their prime, then Ike is way too predictable, and probably not quick enough, to beat Whitaker. I think it'd be one of those contests which really underlines the difference between very good and truly great. Could have been interesting in 1998 had it not fallen through after Whitaker's extracurricular activities came to light, mind you. Obviously Pea was on his way out then and had failed to really shine in his previous few fights. Ike still had some good stuff left in the tank as he showed the following year against Oscar (and even years later after his comeback he beat Forrest for all intents and purposes, save for the horrendous verdict). He'd have had a decent chance at beating Whitaker at that point. But prime for prime? Can't see a way for Ike to win.
Great fight. old man Whitaker had plenty left for ODH and took quite possibly the best version of Tito Trinidad the full on distance. I think he pulls the upset against Quartey... Definitely a younger Whitaker would take Quartey to school I fear
A prime, that's right prime Pernell Sweet Pea Whittaker out boxes a peak Ike Quartey. Sweet Pea has too many angles for Ike, plus Whittaker is a southpaw. Pernell takes this one by unanimous decision.
Got to go with the consensus here. Prime vs prime Whitaker simply outclasses Quartey who was a very good fighter. The gulf between good and great is wide . Whitaker cruises to a UD.
Depends on when they fight. Whitaker wins by decision in a unification bout in around 94-95, after Ike won hit the WBA belt over Espana. Whitaker started declining around 96, with the Rivera fights and the struggle against Hurtado. He did manage to pull off a great performance against a prime Oscar and fight on even terms, I think that the “last great performance by an aging guy” that Cus D’Amato would talk about, but as a whole he had certainly declined. They were supposed to fight in 98’ but it got cancelled due to Pea’s drug problems. Ike’s main weapon was a jab but he had a nice straight right hand as well. I think he would land enough of them to win a decision.
I remember watching Quartey demolish Cool Vince Phillips on the undercard of the first Whitaker-Rivera fight in 1996. I remember thinking Whitaker would want to fight a hell of a lot better to beat Quartey than he did against Rivera. Pea was ordinary that night whereas Quartey was sensational. Prime for prime then Whitaker every day. From 1996 onwards then it’s a pick’em in my view. It depends on Peas mindset and conditioning really.
