THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412230642
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's next fight apparently will be a quest for his sixth world title.
Whitaker, the World Boxing Council welterweight champion from Virginia Beach, will move up to 154 pounds to fight Julio Cesar Vasquez on March 4 or March 18, according to Whitaker co-manager Shelly Finkel. Finkel said there are still a few minor contractual things to work out with the Vasquez camp, but he expects to have it settled within the next two weeks.
``It's about 98 percent definite,'' Finkel said. ``For all intents and purposes, it is done.''
The site will be either Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Finkel said Hampton Roads is not in the running this time, partly because Whitaker's last two fights were here. Publicist Mike Boorman of Main Events, which promotes Whitaker, also said Vasquez's promoter stipulated the fight could not be in Virginia.
The last fight for Whitaker (34-1-1, 15 knockouts) was against James ``Buddy'' McGirt Oct. 1 at Scope.
``I've just got to gain some weight,'' Whitaker said Thursday. ``I'm not even weighing 150 right now. It doesn't really matter, I'll just try to stay as lean and as quick as possible.''
Vasquez (52-1, 35 knockouts) holds the World Boxing Association junior middleweight crown, which he won in December 1992 against Hitoshi Kamiyama. He's successfully defended it 10 times.
If the Vasquez fight were to fall through, WBA welterweight champ Ike Quartey of Ghana would likely be Whitaker's opponent. A March date on HBO is definite.
``He's getting in some welcome company going for a title in four weight classes,'' HBO Sports senior vice president Ross Greenburg said. by CNB