Pernell Whitaker

“Sweet Pea”

Boxing · Deceased

40-4-1 (1 NC)RECORD

17WINS BY KO / TKO

23WINS BY DECISION

46PRO FIGHTS

Profile

Full name	Pernell Whitaker Sr.
Nickname	Sweet Pea
Date of birth	2 Jan 1964
Died	14 Jul 2019
Nationality	American
Birthplace	Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Based in	Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Weight classes	Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Welterweight, Light Middleweight
Trainers	George Benton
Height	168 cm (5′6″)
Reach	175 cm (69″)
Stance	Southpaw
Years active	1984–2001
Status	Deceased
Pro debut	15 Nov 1984
Last fight	Loss vs Carlos Bojorquez, 27 Apr 2001

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 8 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date).

Titles and honours

Undisputed lightweight champion (WBA, WBC, IBF) from 1990 to 1992
IBF light welterweight champion (1992)
WBC welterweight champion (1993-1997)
WBA light middleweight champion (1995)
1984 Olympic gold medallist at lightweight

Background

A 1984 Olympic gold medallist from Norfolk, Virginia, he won world titles in four weight classes with a slick defensive southpaw style. He died in 2019 after being struck by a vehicle in Virginia Beach.

Fight history

46 professional fights. Newest first.

Result	Opponent	Method	Round	Time	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	Carlos Bojorquez	TKO	4	0:27	27 Apr 2001	Stateline, Nevada, USA	Stopped due to broken clavicle
Loss	Félix Trinidad	Decision (unanimous)	12		20 Feb 1999	New York City, New York, USA	For IBF welterweight title
No contest	Andrey Pestryayev	No contest	12		17 Oct 1997	Ledyard, Connecticut, USA	Originally a unanimous decision win; later ruled a no contest
Loss	Oscar De La Hoya	Decision (unanimous)	12		12 Apr 1997	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Lost WBC welterweight title
Win	Diosbelys Hurtado	TKO	11	1:52	24 Jan 1997	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	Wilfredo Rivera	Decision (unanimous)	12		20 Sep 1996	Miami, Florida, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	Wilfredo Rivera	Decision (split)	12		12 Apr 1996	Philipsburg, Sint Maarten	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	Jake Rodríguez	KO	6	2:54	18 Nov 1995	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	Gary Jacobs	Decision (unanimous)	12		26 Aug 1995	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	Julio César Vásquez	Decision (unanimous)	12		4 Mar 1995	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA	Won WBA super welterweight title
Win	James McGirt	Decision (unanimous)	12		1 Oct 1994	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	Santos Cardona	Decision (unanimous)	12		9 Apr 1994	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Draw	Julio César Chávez	Decision (majority)	12		10 Sep 1993	San Antonio, Texas, USA	Retained WBC welterweight title
Win	James McGirt	Decision (unanimous)	12		6 Mar 1993	New York City, New York, USA	Won WBC welterweight title
Win	Ben Baez	KO	1	0:37	1 Dec 1992	Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Win	Rafael Pineda	Decision (unanimous)	12		18 Jul 1992	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Won IBF junior welterweight title
Win	Jerry Smith	KO	1		22 May 1992	Mexico City, Mexico
Win	Harold Brazier	Decision (unanimous)	10		18 Jan 1992	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Win	Jorge Páez	Decision (unanimous)	12		5 Oct 1991	Reno, Nevada, USA	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF lightweight titles
Win	Poli Díaz	Decision (unanimous)	12		27 Jul 1991	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF lightweight titles
Win	Anthony Jones	Decision (unanimous)	12		23 Feb 1991	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Retained WBA, WBC, IBF lightweight titles
Win	Benjie Márquez	Decision (unanimous)	10		22 Nov 1990	Madrid, Spain
Win	Juan Nazario	KO	1	2:59	11 Aug 1990	Stateline, Nevada, USA	Won WBA lightweight title; retained WBC and IBF
Win	Azumah Nelson	Decision (unanimous)	12		19 May 1990	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Retained WBC and IBF lightweight titles
Win	Freddie Pendleton	Decision (unanimous)	12		3 Feb 1990	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA	Retained WBC and IBF lightweight titles
Win	Martin Galvan	TKO	3		11 Dec 1989	Le Port-Marly, France
Win	José Luis Ramírez	Decision (unanimous)	12		20 Aug 1989	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Retained IBF; won vacant WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
Win	Louie Lomeli	TKO	3	2:37	30 Apr 1989	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Retained IBF lightweight title
Win	Greg Haugen	Decision (unanimous)	12		18 Feb 1989	Hampton, Virginia, USA	Won IBF lightweight title
Win	Antonio Carter	TKO	4	2:37	2 Nov 1988	Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Loss	José Luis Ramírez	Decision (split)	12		12 Mar 1988	Levallois-Perret, France	For WBC lightweight title
Win	Davey Montana	TKO	4	2:14	19 Dec 1987	Paris, France
Win	Miguel Santana	TKO	6	1:02	25 Jul 1987	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Retained NABF; won vacant USBA lightweight title
Win	Jim Flores	TKO	1		28 Jun 1987	Houston, Texas, USA
Win	Roger Mayweather	Decision (unanimous)	12		28 Mar 1987	Norfolk, Virginia, USA	Won vacant NABF lightweight title
Win	Alfredo Layne	Decision (unanimous)	10		20 Dec 1986	Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Win	Rafael Gandarilla	Decision (unanimous)	10		9 Oct 1986	New York City, New York, USA
Win	Rafael Williams	Decision (unanimous)	10		16 Aug 1986	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Win	John Montes	Decision (unanimous)	10		9 Mar 1986	Hampton, Virginia, USA
Win	Jesus De la Cruz	TKO	1	2:22	12 Nov 1985	Pasadena, Texas, USA
Win	Teddy Hatfield	KO	3	2:42	29 Aug 1985	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Win	John Senegal	TKO	2	1:29	20 Jul 1985	Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Win	Nick Parker	Decision (unanimous)	6		20 Apr 1985	Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Win	Mike Golden	TKO	4	2:54	13 Mar 1985	Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Win	Danny Avery	TKO	4		20 Jan 1985	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Win	Farrain Comeaux	TKO	2	2:50	15 Nov 1984	New York City, New York, USA