Rest in peace Pernell Whitaker. Sweet Pea passed away late Sunday night after being struck by a car Sunday night in Virginia Beach.
The Virginian-Pilot was the first to report the news of Whitaker’s death.
Whitaker was struck while on foot near the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road, police said in a news release.
The call came in at 10:04 p.m. He died at the scene and the driver of the vehicle remained there with police.”
The report continued
“Reached Monday morning by phone, his youngest son, Devon Whitaker, was shocked after hearing his dad died last night.
“I guess he was wearing dark clothes, the road was dark and the driver didn’t see him,” said the 23-year-old.
He said his dad was a “cool guy.”
“That’s all I can say about him,” he said. “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.”
Born on January 2, 1964 in Norfolk, Virginia, Pernell Whitaker would become one of the greatest boxers of his generation.
In 1984, Whitaker captured the gold medal at light weight for Team USA at the summer Olympics in Los Angles. After a mind blowing 200 amateur fights, Sweat Pea turned pro in November 1984. By 1989, Whitaker had captured titles from the WBC, IBF, and NABF boxing sanctioning bodies. Also in 1989, Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America named Whitaker their fighter of the year.
From 1993 to 1997 Ring Magazine ranked Pernell Whitaker as the pound for pound best boxer in the sport.
Rest Easy Sweet Pea.
Bonus: The top 10 knockouts from the late, great boxing legend Pernell Whitaker
