Thread: Pernell Whitaker An Underrated Body Puncher ?

Over the past 2 weeks i've watched majority of his fights, and one thing that stood out other than his obvious great attributes. Is his body work he often went to the body alot with great technique he destroyed Jake Rodriguez with body shots who went the distance with Felix Trinidad.

And Pernell Whitaker even doubled over Felix Trinidad with body shots in the 7th round of there fight. Theres just some examples but whats your thoughts ?

I think he was a great all rounder, great at everything.

Originally Posted by Kel

I think he was a great all rounder, great at everything.

I wish i could put a highlight together of all of Pernell Whitaker's best body punches, i think he was a terrific body puncher and he also had underrated power IMO, even though he didn't have a high KO ratio i think he could change a fight around with 1 punch.

Which he did against Disobelys Hurtado, Wilfredo Rivera 2, etc. He is one of my favorites and anyone who calls him boring is ridiculous IMO, i don't know how any true boxing fan couldn't find Pernell Whitaker, avoiding punches so effortlessly just using his reflexes. While standing right infront of his opponent not exciting.

I see alot of these comments on Youtube about Pernell Whitaker being runner, but how is boxing in circles while staying in punching range of your opponent called running ? i really don't get it at all.

I remember he had Vasquez huffing with body shots,The man had a homing device on his punches.Not explosive but he could make you look foolish.

Originally Posted by Spicoli surfs 'Nawlins

I remember he had Vasquez huffing with body shots,The man had a homing device on his punches.Not explosive but he could make you look foolish.

And that was at Jr Middleweight where Pernell Whitaker didn't belong, against a fighter who floored Winky Wright 5 timse. That just shows you how great of a fighter he was.

Originally Posted by ICB

Originally Posted by Kel

I think he was a great all rounder, great at everything.

I wish i could put a highlight together of all of Pernell Whitaker's best body punches, i think he was a terrific body puncher and he also had underrated power IMO, even though he didn't have a high KO ratio i think he could change a fight around with 1 punch.

Which he did against Disobelys Hurtado, Wilfredo Rivera 2, etc. He is one of my favorites and anyone who calls him boring is ridiculous IMO, i don't know how any true boxing fan couldn't find Pernell Whitaker, avoiding punches so effortlessly just using his reflexes. While standing right infront of his opponent not exciting.

I see alot of these comments on Youtube about Pernell Whitaker being runner, but how is boxing in circles while staying in punching range of your opponent called running ? i really don't get it at all.

people on youtube make stupid racist comments on everything even greats like ali and Joe Louis. people on youtube are mostly retards.

When he was regarded as a Great "Complete" fighter I don't think any area of his game is being underrated.

Great fighter.

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

When he was regarded as a Great "Complete" fighter I don't think any area of his game is being underrated.

Great fighter.

Yes but Pernell Whitaker most of the time is only given props, for his slickness, speed, etc. I've never see anyone mention how good of a body puncher he really was.

He definitely has great body work, I also think it helped him turn the tides against JCC, it was a relatively close fight early, but to my surprise the first time i watched was that Whitaker physically dominated Chavez down the stretch, and I believe it was to not small part because of his body work.

Pernell was not a big puncher but he was a hurtful body puncher and he scored a lot of knock downs late in fights because of the body shots, i think he even had Jacobs down with them.

Originally Posted by Master

Pernell was not a big puncher but he was a hurtful body puncher and he scored a lot of knock downs late in fights because of the body shots, i think he even had Jacobs down with them.

He put Gary Jacobs down late in the 12th round twice due to accumulation of straight left hands, he kept walking into them all night and then finally he caught a real flush straight left hand coming in. And he couldn't stand up to it anymore, he got up though but Pernell Whitaker then chased him like a mad man, and while Gary Jacobs was moving backwards, Pernell Whitaker run at him and put him down with a right-left combo then skipped over him and jumped up on the 2nd rope

He also badly hurt Poli Diaz with body shots. I remember one of them made Diaz double over in pain, to the point where Lampley/Merchant were speculating at the time that Diaz may have gotten his rib broken.

He also hurt McGirt with body shots down the stretch in their second fight.

Originally Posted by ICB

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

When he was regarded as a Great "Complete" fighter I don't think any area of his game is being underrated.

Great fighter.

Yes but Pernell Whitaker most of the time is only given props, for his slickness, speed, etc. I've never see anyone mention how good of a body puncher he really was.

Perhaps because they were his two primary assets?

Everyone knows Pernell could do it all.