I remember he embarrassed Vazquez for a title in his 4th division. but was Whitaker considered "the man" at 154 after that win? Who else was there at the time? I think this came after Jackson's and Norris' reign, and before DLH, Mosley, and Winks. Anyone remember who the major players were at 154 when Pernell capture the title?
Don't think he was the #1 in that division, but beating a tough and skilled fighter like Vasquez--who was on an absolute tear--clearly at 154 was one hell of an accomplishment for a natural lightweight, more so than PBF beating an old Oscar for example. And the funny thing is Lampley et al were actually putting Pea down and claiming his P4P #1 rating was in jeopardy because it was a close fight. :nut
I was surprised he didn't fight Terry Norris. Whitaker usually took the big fight. Norris had the style to beat Whitaker but I still think Pea would outbox him.
I like when Gil Clancy said to Lampley that Roy surpassing Pea in the P4P rankings was such a subjective judgement.
This was when Norris was generally considered the top 154 lb. fighter when he wasn't getting DQ'd all the time. Santana stole his title and stole another win from Norris by acting.
Whitaker was physically much smaller than Vasquez, so he kept his distance and pumped the jab. The surprising aspect was how quick Whitaker's hands were at 154lbs, especially his jab. Maybe the most underrated performance throughout Whitaker's entire career. Vasquez was one of the best in the division throughout the 90's, but never had the marquee appeal.
