Pernell Whittaker

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 10 Mar 2006, 08:49

A very fast and slick southpaw, with as good a defence as you'll see. So how is the best way of beating Whittaker at lightweight? How would you prep a fighter to beat Whittaker?

Ambling Alp · Post by **Ambling Alp** » 11 Mar 2006, 11:39

I guess it would depend on your fighter's natural style, strengths and weaknesses. It might be a good idea to not go after Whitaker, just make Whitaker come to you.

DoubleM · Post by **DoubleM** » 11 Mar 2006, 11:57

Roberto Duran. No name for his style, he could do it all, but Duran is the way to beat Whitaker. While Pernell's slick and special movement and jab will probably confuse Duran on occasions as is customary, but Roberto will track him down and cut off the ring. The fight will become a phone-booth brawl, and Duran is superior to Chavez in that department.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 11 Mar 2006, 12:26

DoubleM wrote:Roberto Duran. No name for his style, he could do it all, but Duran is the way to beat Whitaker. While Pernell's slick and special movement and jab will probably confuse Duran on occasions as is customary, but Roberto will track him down and cut off the ring. The fight will become a phone-booth brawl, and Duran is superior to Chavez in that department.

DoubleM

This morning I went for a long walk to get some fresh air whilst thinking about this very post and I came to the same conclusion as you.

I started off thinking it would have to be an agressive fighter with good power, speed, punch variety, KO power and the ability to cut off the ring and slip punches well without wasting any energy. The fighter must also have great stamina and then I realised I was just describing Roberto Duran.

Seamus · Post by **Seamus** » 11 Mar 2006, 12:37

I like Ambling Alp's strategy, along with perhaps an occasional all out flurry near the end of some rounds. It would be boring at times, but letting the counterpuncher initiate the action tends to upset there rythym.

No doubt Duran would be the favorite at LW, but a Whitaker victory would not shock me at all. Especially if he had to endure months of hearing how he was finally going to get KO'd. When Sweet Pea makes up his mind that he's not going to get hit, he's like a pitcher throwing a no-hitter.

JC · Post by JC » 11 Mar 2006, 14:16

How do you guys see Whittaker vs Henry Armstrong going?

walshb · Post by **walshb** » 11 Mar 2006, 15:05

Pernell is a fantastic lightweight, fast accurate and extremely deceptive and elusive. Although most people may see him as boring, I think watching him glide around the ring outboxing his opponents effortlessly is really a joy to watch. Saying that a Duran has the style to beat Pernell. He also had the great defense, very fast, strong and clever. DLH at his peak would also be very tough for Whitaker due to his speed and footwork, strength. Guys like Chavez will always lose to Pernell because they lack the speed to nail him consecutively.

barry · Post by **barry** » 11 Mar 2006, 15:34

Whitaker-Armstrong...Tough bout to call. My guess is that Whitaker would pretty much be elusive for the first 8 rounds taking only body shots, but after 8 rounds the body shots, constant pressure and punches thrown from any and every angle start to take they're toll and from then on out Whitaker does all he can to last out the fight. Armstrong by unanimous decision!

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 13 Mar 2006, 06:19

The Duran who beat leonard could over power Whittaker. Duran had a great defence, was very quick with hands and feet, good power and a relentless punch output. I think the stamina issue is the most important. To beat Whittaker you've got to be able to throw 90 punches and more for every round of a 15 rounder and you've got to be prepared to swat thin air at times.

DoubleM · Post by **DoubleM** » 13 Mar 2006, 08:34

Duran, knowing Whitaker was a fine defensive fighter and would get the better of the Latino on the outside, would really take advantage on the inside, banging away hard and making sure Whitaker never gets away. Of course, Whitaker would get away, but that would be Duran's objective - to hunt Whitaker down and outfight him on the inside.

Duran was not at his peak in the second Leonard fight, I think we all know that... But peak or not, Leonard's movement caused him problems. It is a known thing that movers pissed Duran off. The thing is, Whitaker will never run like Bizzarro, and he won't circle and dance as much as Leonard either. Surprisingly, Duran would find it easier to track down Whitaker.

While watching Whitaker-Chavez, I noticed like everybody else that Whitaker was dominant on the outside, and was also good on the inside. I also noticed that Chavez, who was probably not in his prime, did not attack with the same explosiveniss as Duran. He was a much steadier fighter, attacking with a solid workrate. Duran's assaults often came in sudden charges, with much more speed and ferocity. Chavez didn't feint like Duran either.

I will say Duran wins by close but clear decision, assuming he can trap Whitaker and work him over, which I think he would, feinting and rushing his way inside much unlike Chavez.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 13 Mar 2006, 10:08

DoubleM wrote:Duran, knowing Whitaker was a fine defensive fighter and would get the better of the Latino on the outside, would really take advantage on the inside, banging away hard and making sure Whitaker never gets away. Of course, Whitaker would get away, but that would be Duran's objective - to hunt Whitaker down and outfight him on the inside.

Duran was not at his peak in the second Leonard fight, I think we all know that... But peak or not, Leonard's movement caused him problems. It is a known thing that movers pissed Duran off. The thing is, Whitaker will never run like Bizzarro, and he won't circle and dance as much as Leonard either. Surprisingly, Duran would find it easier to track down Whitaker.

While watching Whitaker-Chavez, I noticed like everybody else that Whitaker was dominant on the outside, and was also good on the inside. I also noticed that Chavez, who was probably not in his prime, did not attack with the same explosiveniss as Duran. He was a much steadier fighter, attacking with a solid workrate. Duran's assaults often came in sudden charges, with much more speed and ferocity. Chavez didn't feint like Duran either.

I will say Duran wins by close but clear decision, assuming he can trap Whitaker and work him over, which I think he would, feinting and rushing his way inside much unlike Chavez.

MM

Would the southpaw stance cause Duran any problems?

Any other LWs out there who have the style to beat Whittaker? How would Pryor fare at Jr Welter?

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 13 Mar 2006, 12:52

Pernell Whitaker...#1 in boxing cleverness!!! I cannot believe that Bert Sugar ranked him #48 all time p4p

To me this guy was strictly world class!!! The best fighter of his generation that beat the very best of his time with extraordinary shutout masterpieces.

How about a Whitaker vs Carlos Ortiz or Whitaker vs Ismael Laguna, Ken Buchanan or vs Ike Williams???

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 13 Mar 2006, 14:14

Whitaker vs Benny Leonard anyone?

walshb · Post by **walshb** » 14 Mar 2006, 17:10

Spot on with Duran as compared to Chavez. Julio was to methodical and predictable to really be effective against Pernell. Duran was pure explosive, fast and from all angles. JC was a notoriously slow starter and relied heavily on his opponent staying close to him so he could assault the body and we all know that Whitaker never stood still long enough for a fighter to really consistently nail him. Pernell is JC's nightmare opponent and Duran. DLH or Mayweather Jnr is Pernell's nightmare opponent. It's all about styles.

For a Chavez to be favored to beat Whitaker, the fight would need to be over 20rds in a smallish ring, otherwise JC is chasing an elusive wizard who was one of the true greats fighting on the backfoot

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 14 Mar 2006, 17:46

walshb wrote:Spot on with Duran as compared to Chavez. Julio was to methodical and predictable to really be effective against Pernell. Duran was pure explosive, fast and from all angles. JC was a notoriously slow starter and relied heavily on his opponent staying close to him so he could assault the body and we all know that Whitaker never stood still long enough for a fighter to really consistently nail him. Pernell is JC's nightmare opponent and Duran. DLH or Mayweather Jnr is Pernell's nightmare opponent. It's all about styles.

For a Chavez to be favored to beat Whitaker, the fight would need to be over 20rds in a smallish ring, otherwise JC is chasing an elusive wizard who was one of the true greats fighting on the backfoot

Totally agree

Expug · Post by **Expug** » 14 Mar 2006, 23:00

KOJOE90 wrote:Whitaker vs Benny Leonard anyone?

Be a great fight. The old time trainers were in awe of Leonard.

surf-bat · Post by **surf-bat** » 15 Mar 2006, 03:36

KOJOE90 wrote:Whitaker vs Benny Leonard anyone?

Whitaker by easy decision or late rounds TKO. Benny's style is comparatively too primitive. Watch the film of the Tendler fight.