RIP Pernell Whitaker

[Denilson-The-Comeback]

RIP Champ



That car would have never got close to him back in his prime. Hey. Sometimes you have to find humor even in sadness and this is sadness to him (at a relatively young age of 55) and his family.

I heard that he took back the house he gave his mum back but you don't know what goes in families. But what I do know is that 1984 USA Olympic team will never be matched.

I know the Cubans boycotted the 84 games (and the Russians and the Germans) and people argue that the 1976 USA boxing with Leonard, the Spinks brothers, Howard Davis, John Tate was better because the Cubans (and all the other strongest boxing nations) were there but the 84 team of Pernell Whitaker Meldrick Taylor, Evander Holyfield, Mark Breland, Virgil Hill, Tyrell Biggs.......Damn !

And if you still doubt how strong that team was then think on this

Mike Tyson couldn't even get in the 1984 USA boxing team

Just let that sink in.

Having said that I'd agree that had Teofilio Stevenson from Cuba turned up in 84 then he not Tyrell Biggs would have won gold. But that's it.

Once of my earliest memories of boxing as a 10 year old was watching Sweet P take the legend Chavez Sr to school like it was parent teachers conference.

He was simply a defensive master.



Yeah...yeah ..calm down all you boxing nerds..."He's crouching below the waist !! He's crouching below the waist !!"

I know. I know.

Now is not the time though because without Whitaker to serve as inspiration I doubt the likes of Mayweather or Ward would have become as good as they did.