Pernell Whitaker’s Death: How Did the Olympic Gold Medalist Lose His Life at the Age of Just 55?

Born on January 2, 1964, Pernell Whitaker achieved everything a boxer could dream about. A four-division champion and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters during the 1980s and 1990s, he even won a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1984 Olympics. But he was neither the hardest hitter, nor was his demeanor brash. Yet he commanded respect from his peers.

His story came to an end on July 14, 2019, after he was hit by a car while walking at Virginia Beach. He suffered “multiple blunt-force injuries” which led to his death.

Pernell Whitaker: An Unforeseen Ending

‘TMZ Sports’ broke the story and reported how the boxer was hit by a car on a Sunday night at 10 PM. While emergency responders treated him at the scene, they couldn’t save him. The driver of the car was co-operative with the authorities.

The boxer had suffered from drug addition during his exploits within the sport. But upon investigation of the accident, officials shared that alcohol, drugs or car speed were not factors that led to the accident. “It appears to just be a horrible accident,” one official shared back then.

Many fans had created a memorial for Whitaker at the spot where he died. They left flowers and other items to honor the renowned athlete in 2019.

The world was shocked. People remembered how Whitaker claimed to have had more than 500 contests as an amateur; before his Olympics success. In fact, in 1984 he was captain of a US team that included Evander Holyfield, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor and Frank Tate; all medalists who went on to become professional world champions in the world of boxing.

 It was his 1989 fight against Greg Haugen that was his ultimate break through into the limelight. No one believed ‘Sweet Pea’ could win but he made it look easy and became the IBF lightweight champion. During the entirety of his career, he would go on to win lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight titles before retiring in 2001. But his untimely death forced people to look back at his long list of achievements. In fact, Mike Tyson remembered him as a “flawless fighter”.

The boxing world was devastated by the news

In 2002, Whittaker was ranked by the Ring Magazine as the 10th greatest boxer of the last 80 years. In 2007, the Norfolk native was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Despite his retirement, the legendary pugilist stayed active in the sport for several years, training new prospects sporadically.

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Upon hearing about Whitaker’s passing, Edward Brophy, the executive director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, released a statement. “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,” mentioned Edwards. 

Evander Holyfield had shared, “I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker’s untimely passing last night. We share so many great memories. He was small in statue but yet so big in heart and skills inside the ring, there will never be another like him, he will truly be missed.”

But it was not just the boxing community that mourned his death. Magic Johnson had shared “Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker was in the class of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard as one of the most entertaining fighters in my lifetime. I’m praying for his family.”

After years of pure boxing brilliance, the legendary Whitaker became the unfortunate victim of an accident. However, the legacy he has left behind will inspire young boxers for generations to come.

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