Editorial

Legendary Boxer Pernell Whitaker Dead At 55

(Photo by: The Ring Magazine via Getty Images)

William Davis Contributor
Font Size:

Legendary boxer Pernell Whitaker was killed Sunday night after being hit by a car.

The man known as “Sweet Pea” passed away at the age of 55, according to TMZ Sports. According to the report, police responded to a call around 10:04 PM and found Whitaker in “really bad shape,” and that the boxing legend “succumbed” to his injuries shortly after the crash. The identity of the person who was driving the car has not yet been revealed. (RELATED: Freeda Foreman, Former Boxer And Daughter Of Legend George Foreman, Passes Away At 42)


Whitaker was active in the sport from 1984-2001 and is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Compared with the likes of Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali, Whitaker had a decorated career.

Over the course of his career, Whitaker had 40 wins, and was a four-weight world champion, winning titles in the lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight divisions. He also had a grand total of 17 wins by KO during his career.

May he rest in peace.