Trying again it’s tough to not really feel some measure of remorse for Pernell Whitaker, and that is other than the very fact he was taken from us far too quickly in a lethal automobile accident in 2019. And whereas it could appear absurd to want issues had been completely different for a boxer who received six world titles in 4 divisions and made a boatload of cash, the very fact is likely one of the best boxers who ever lived by no means obtained the credit score and recognition he really deserved. It was uphill all the best way, and for one purpose: his ring brilliance simply didn’t present the type of pleasure most combat followers crave. It’s not possible to compete with a boxer you possibly can’t hit, thus so lots of Whitaker’s matches have been, by way of motion, one thing lower than scintillating. Consistently shifting and sliding, bobbing and weaving, “Candy Pea” was as elusive as a wisp of smoke in his prime. As the good southpaw himself put it, “If I don’t need God to hit me, He’s not going to hit me.”
Too cute for some, too cocky for others, Whitaker’s identify not often comes up when it ought to. The perfect boxer of the Nineties? Pose the query and also you’ll hear followers orate passionately about Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones Jr., and Evander Holyfield, ignoring the very fact Whitaker bested stiffer opposition than all three and didn’t undergo a reliable defeat till the last decade was virtually over. That was when Felix Trinidad outpointed him, however by then Whitaker was 35-years-old and his finest days and strikes have been lengthy behind him. His final nice efficiency was a extremely aggressive tilt in opposition to a youthful and far greater Oscar De La Hoya, however the judges took the win from Pernell, simply as they’d when he clearly out-boxed Mexican champions Julio César Chávez and Jose Luis Ramirez.
Whitaker’s first combat with Ramirez stays probably the most blatant robberies within the lengthy historical past of pugilism and the circumstances surrounding it ought to have merited a full-blown investigation. Extremely, regardless of the howls of shock from each quarter, Whitaker didn’t obtain an instantaneous rematch. As an alternative, a yr later he acquired a second likelihood at a world championship in opposition to Greg Haugen, for the IBF model of the light-weight title.
If one have been to make an inventory of probably the most anti-climactic fights in boxing historical past, Whitaker vs Haugen must rank pretty excessive. Pernell had already established himself as the highest expertise within the division, if not the very best in the complete sport, pound-for-pound. Haugen, whereas as powerful and recreation as they arrive, merely was not in the identical league as “Candy Pea” by way of expertise, ability and flexibility.
However that’s to not say he didn’t belong within the ring that day. Haugen had earned his alternatives the arduous approach, competing in over 300 beginner fights and successful a bunch of “Powerful Man” competitions in his native Alaska earlier than turning professional and pulling off a significant upset when he bested Jimmy Paul for a world title. His protection in opposition to Whitaker was his third after splitting two powerful fifteen spherical battles with Vinny Pazienza. An efficient counterpuncher with a very good jab, Haugen had expertise and ability, however his energy was middling at finest and he was going up in opposition to a very gifted boxer, a pugilistic artist within the vein of Willie Pep, to not point out a person on a mission. Having been robbed in opposition to Ramirez, Whitaker was decided to go away little doubt in anybody’s thoughts as to who was the true champion of the lightweights.
Performing in entrance of his hometown followers in Hampton, Virginia, Whitaker began quick and as early because the second spherical he had taken full management of the motion. Backing Haugen up, scoring repeatedly with proper jabs and delightful combos to each head and physique, “Candy Pea” was already dominating the champion. Pernell’s superior velocity and timing have been manifestly obvious as Haugen was diminished to smiling and mugging after getting tagged with clear, jarring punches. On the finish of spherical three the group got here to its toes when Haugen was harm by two arduous photographs to the physique adopted by a strong uppercut.
By the fifth, Haugen wasn’t simply being dominated; he was taking a beating. Having ready for a boxer who could be transferring and circling, the champion had no reply for an aggressive Whitaker who got here ahead behind a stinging jab and refused to present floor on the within. Overwhelmed and out of choices, the champion frequently backed to the ropes the place Whitaker took goal observe, snapping sharp photographs to Haugen’s face earlier than digging each fists to the physique.
Within the sixth, a exact counter left put Haugen down, the primary knockdown of his complete profession, beginner or professional. Close to the top of the seventh Whitaker pressured Haugen to the ropes with 4 arduous proper jabs, feinted a fifth and instantly clobbered the champion with a vicious straight left and an uppercut. He then acquired dwelling seven thudding physique photographs, whereas mixing in some extra jabs and uppercuts. It was like watching Picasso or Pollack assault a clean canvas because the combat grew to become a rout, in addition to a pugilistic masterpiece.
Whitaker slowed his assault considerably within the eighth and ninth, dancing and utilizing the ring extra, although he clearly received each rounds. A determined Haugen got here out arduous in spherical ten and Whitaker, like a stern schoolmaster correcting an errant pupil, instantly put Greg in his place, forcing him to the ropes and battering him with each fingers. The ever recreation champion by no means stopped making an attempt, however Whitaker was toying with him now, snapping his head again with virtually each jab and strafing him with prolonged flurries of sharp photographs to which Haugen had no reply.
The primary two minutes of the ultimate spherical noticed Whitaker content material to circle and showboat, however then he closed with a flourish, unleashing one vicious salvo after one other. After every lathering of leather-based, the tough-as-iron Haugen would smile, drop his fingers and shake his head, as if to say, “That each one you bought?” and Whitaker would then mete out one other sustained volley, as if to say, “Okay, right here’s some extra,” bringing the group to its toes as he concluded his masterful efficiency with authority. After the ultimate bell Haugen, exhibiting class, applauded Whitaker earlier than the official scorecards have been even tabulated.
Later that very same yr Whitaker would avenge his “loss” to Ramirez with a shut-out factors win earlier than occurring to steam-roll the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions. Julio Cesar Chavez lastly agreed to fulfill Whitaker in 1993 and “Candy Pea” gave a virtuoso efficiency in opposition to a legend and a Corridor of Famer, solely to have the judges, as soon as once more, deny Whitaker his rightful glory after they absurdly deemed the bout a draw. It’s been mentioned many instances earlier than, however let or not it’s mentioned once more: Whitaker vs Chavez is a straight-up theft. Pernell received no fewer than eight rounds.
Haugen fought for one more decade, successful in opposition to Héctor Camacho and Ray Mancini, however shedding to Pazienza and Chavez. He willingly took on all comers, amassing a file of greater than fifty professional fights. And years later, when requested who was the very best boxer he ever confronted, he didn’t hesitate for a second. “Palms down,” he mentioned, “Pernell Whitaker.” — Michael Carbert
