Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, considered one of the greatest lightweight boxers of all time, died on Sunday, July 14, after he was hit by a vehicle in Virginia, police said.
Officers received a call around 10 p.m. about an incident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, Virginia Beach police said in a news release.
The pedestrian, who died at the scene, was later identified as 55-year-old Whitaker.
The driver remained on site with police, the release said, and the investigation remains active.
“We lost a legend truly one of boxing’s greatest Pound 4 Pound champions my father Pernell Sweetpea Whitaker,” his son, Domonique Whitaker, wrote in a Facebook post.
“I guess he was wearing dark clothes, the road was dark and the driver didn’t see him,” Domonique told Pilotonline.com. He added that his father was a “cool guy.”
“That’s all I can say about him,” he continued. “I can’t really say how I’m feeling because I’m feeling shocked. I’m still trying to process everything that’s going on. But he was a cool guy.”
The report said he frequented Wareing’s Gym in Virginia Beach.
R.I.P Pernell Whitaker. One of the best defensive fighters to lace them up???????? what a fighter #pernellwhitaker #sweetpea pic.twitter.com/pIsA2jpz0p
— Frankie O’Connor (@Frankie_OConn) July 15, 2019
“He was a legacy here,” said Jake Wareing. “I grew up watching him all the time.”
An Illustrious Career
Whitaker, a southpaw known for his defensive prowess, grew up in Norfolk. As an amateur boxer, his record was 201-14 with 91 knockouts. He won Olympic gold at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles and also won gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and silver at the 1982 World Championships.
Whitaker turned pro in 1984 after the Olympics and went on to become a world champion in four different weight classes: lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight.
I’m absolutely crushed to say this: RIP Pernell Whitaker. it was an absolute honor to watch you, my bro. the most gifted fighter I ever had the pleasure to watch. we will NEVER forget you. inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ pic.twitter.com/fcvFrky2Gd
— The Sicilian Shooter (Saifullah) (@vinnie_paz) July 15, 2019
In his professional career, he had 40 wins (17 of which were by knockout), four losses and one draw. He was recognized by boxing publication Ring Magazine as Fighter of the Year in 1989. In 2002, the magazine ranked him the 10th greatest boxer of the last 80 years.
Whitaker retired from fighting in 2001 and worked as a trainer. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.
Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this article.
