FOUR-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION PERNELL WHITAKER

CANASTOTA, NY – JULY 15, 2019 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of Olympic gold medalist and four-division world champion Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, who died in a traffic accident in Virginia Beach, VA on Sunday night. He was 55.

     2007 Hall of Fame Inductee Pernell Whitaker

“From Olympic gold to world championships in four weight divisions, Pernell Whitaker was one of the greatest boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy.  “Everyone at the Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing and offers our condolences to his family.”

Fighting out of Norfolk, VA, Whitaker turned pro at Madison Square Garden after capturing gold at the 1984 Olympic Games. As a pro, “Sweet Pea,” who was known for his quick and evasive ring moves, won world championships in four weight divisions – lightweight (IBF / WBC / WBA), junior welterweight (IBF), welterweight (WBC) and junior middleweight (WBA). During his nearly seventeen year career, the longtime pound-for-pound star posted a 40-4-1(17 KOs) record that includes wins over Roger Mayweather, Greg Haugen, Jose Luis Ramirez, Freddie Pendleton, Jorge Paez, Buddy McGirt, Julio Cesar Vasquez and Azumah Nelson.

In 2007, Whitaker was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.