Out of respect to one of the finest ring wizards to step foot in the ring which fights from Whitaker did you enjoy watching? My favorite boxing exhibition from him: Jose Luis Ramirez 2 Favorite competitive fight: Roger Mayweather
I always thought it was funny how Floyd always called Whitaker one of his favorite fighters...He abused his Uncle and never spoke to highly of Floyd himself...if Floyd ever met Pernell it would have been like that scene in Carlitos Way
The Greg Haugen fight...Whitaker is teeing off on him and Haugen keeps saying "you cant hurt me" and Whitaker starts shrugging his shoulder sarcastically every time lands a good shot
I loved the second McGirt fight. Two top notch technicians duking it out but it was as clear as day who the better man was. Aside from the early knock down Pea put on a clinic. The Nelson and Chavez fights deserve honorable mentions as well.
Some other honorable mention: Harold Brazier and Anthony Jones are also really great showing, especially offensive wise. People forget just how good he was up close.
I'm picking Jose Luis Ramirez 2, also. But for personal reasons. When I was in the Navy I was stationed in Norfolk. The evening before the Ramirez fight I was at Tracks, a local record store. I went over to look at the 45s, and who was there flipping through the 12" singles but Pernell Whitaker. He was alone, no entourage, wife / girlfriend, or male friends. We were just two guys out on a summer Saturday evening, on our own, shopping for records. I thought to myself, "He's got a fight tomorrow!" But I didn't bother him or talk to him. I just let him be. I wasn't going to go the fight, but after that I decided to head down to the Scope the next day. I'm so glad I did. Not only did I see, in person, Sweet Pea emphatically avenge the only "loss" on his record up to that point, but I saw future champ Freddie Norwood turn pro (after the main event, if memory serves). Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor, and Evander Holyfield were there to cheer their Olympic teammate on. After the fights they all hung out at ringside and chatted with fans. Holyfield was accommodating enough, I don't remember much about Taylor, but the guy who made the biggest impression on me was Mark Breland. He was there with his little boy and just exuded a mellow kindness. I live in Virginia now, more north, and something must have been in the air in Virginia last night as far as the way people were driving. I almost got t-boned by a lady who ran a red light. Two minutes later I almost rear-ended a guy who decided to stop at a green light. Be careful out there, people. Anyway, thanks for the memory, champ, and for all the TV memories that came before and after the personal one. RIP Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker.
He was brilliant against Haugen and in the Ramirez rematch. Possibly all time top 10 boxing clinics performed on world-class opponents. Such style and originality too. It was a joy watching him work.
I love both of the McGirt fights. The first one was competitive, high-quality and one of the best Welterweight title fights ever in my opinion. Beautiful mesh of styles. The second one was special because it was an example of an all-time great taking apart an all-time very good in brilliant style. Along with Haugen and Ramirez II, it was arguably Pea's greatest showing in a title fight when you factor in the opponent. Heads up for the fights with Uncle Roger, Pineda and Trinidad (even though he lost it), too.
