****...as his name implied mugabi was a beast at junior middle. ignoring the hagler fight and it's aftermath, he was probably the second hardest hitting 154 pounder of all time. even in the hagler fight he showed remarkable durability, passable technique and an overhand right bomb. he knew how to get in and land the right when he needed to and he could take the punishment needed to do so. whitaker only had the one fight at the weight and though he dominated, it was clear he did not have the body for the division. i say that whitaker takes an early lead over mugabi, winning likely 4 of the first 6 before the beast comes on. he doesn't land much, but whenever he does it shakes pernell to the core. by the end of round 8, mugabi is making up the ground and is the clear aggressor. whitaker digs deep and quits clowning: he stands in the pocket and takes the risk of mugabi's right. pernell squeaks the 9th and 10th rounds while avoiding the worst damage before putting on his running shoes in the 11th, giving the round away. it's close but sweet pea pot shots a fading mugabi in the 12th, whose stamina is such that he cannot keep up the tempo forever. whitaker wins the round and a split decision that is booed by the crowd
This was an unexpected fight. I would say Whitaker wins this easily and could even score a TKO. Somehow Mugabi did not do well in any big fight except Hagler. I think Whitaker would win every round until he lands some punch to the body or head and Mugabi turns his back and quits. Mugabi would have tried hard to knock Whitaker out in the early rounds that is for sure.
