THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170354
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ATLANTIC CITY LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker, who some contend has never lost as a professional, is in a fight he cannot win.
``He knows what he's up against right now, and he's up against Father Time,'' said co-manager Lou Duva, who has been in Whitaker's corner throughout the fighter's 11-year pro career.
Whitaker will be 32 in January. He's fought as an amateur and professional for 23 years. It's the only job he's ever had, the only life he's ever known.
But it can't go on forever. Everyone - Whitaker included - knows that.
``I didn't expect it to last this long,'' Whitaker said. ``I thought I'd be able to retire in 1988. I'm still going.''
And going strong. When Whitaker steps into the ring against former sparring partner Jake Rodriguez on Saturday in Atlantic City (approximately 10:45 p.m., HBO), he'll do so as the World Boxing Council welterweight champion. Whitaker has held a world title of some sort since February 1989.
He has won six titles and joined Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran as the only boxers to become world champions in four weight classes.
``It will go down in the history books, I'll be considered one of the best fighters ever, pound-for-pound,'' Whitaker said.
This is no obit of Whitaker's career. His boxing pulse remains strong.
Whitaker is 36-1-1. Both blemishes were, at best, dubious decisions; at worst, robbery. He still is regarded as one of the world's best, although Roy Jones Jr. has usurped the pound-for-pound distinction in some boxing publications.
Whitaker remains one of boxing's headliners, particularly among the smaller men. After his last fight here in August, HBO offered Whitaker a lifetime contract to carry every bout the rest of his career.
How long will that be? Whitaker has set deadlines many times before. ``Every time I make a prediction, I go beyond it,'' Whitaker said. ``I'm not going to make any comment on it.''
Yori Boy Campas or Hector Camacho are expected to be next, followed by International Boxing Federation welterweight champ Felix Trinidad (26-0, 22 knockouts), which could produce a career-record payday of $3 million for Whitaker. After that could come Ike Quartey (30-0, 26 KOs), the World Boxing Association champ. Both Trinidad and Quartey are highly regarded, strong, fast and hungry.
And young.
Whitaker, meanwhile, is no longer the latter. He said he will fight two or three times in 1996, which he pegged once before as the year in which he would retire.
``After those two or three, we'll see what happens next,'' he said.
Whitaker has adapted in recent years to an aging body. He doesn't dance around like he used to, is more economical with his punches and isn't as elusive as he once was. He's compensated with maturity, ring savvy and the ability to dictate the pace and style of the fight to his liking. ``He's not as elusive as he was, only because he's getting older,'' trainer Ronnie Shields said. ``As you get older, it's a challenge, and he knows it.''
Whitaker challenged his handlers to find new and inventive ways to motivate him for the Rodriguez fight. Trinidad and Quartey, which will be classic old-guard-versus-new-guard matchups, will be easier to get excited about.
Whitaker is not hanging on beyond his prime. But his prime may be in the rear-view mirror soon.
``People expect him now to do the things he did when he fought Buddy McGirt or Julio Cesar Chavez or Jose Luis Ramirez, and it's impossible,'' Duva said. ``He can't do it any more. He's battling time.''
Duva said he believes Whitaker is a better fighter than he was a few years ago: ``He's using this,'' Duva said, tapping his index fingers against his temples.
More heady perhaps, but better than the man who made legendary Julio Cesar Chavez look ordinary?
Whitaker hasn't scored a knockout in a title fight in five years. His defense continues to be superb, but he's not as unhittable as he once was.
Whitaker has had to get off the canvas during each of his three fights in the last 13 months. None were particularly hard knockdowns - opponent Gary Jacobs virtually admitted his official knockdown of Whitaker was bogus and should have been ruled a slip. But three in a row seems telling, especially when you consider Whitaker was down just twice in his first 35 fights, including a 23-fight, 7 1/2-year stretch without a knockdown.
Still, although he doesn't shut opponents out as often as he used to, he wins, and usually wins big.
His longevity and talent are undeniable. Only four members of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, of which Whitaker was a member, are still active in boxing. Whitaker and light heavyweight Virgil Hill are the ones who hold one of boxing's major world titles.
Whitaker has earned millions - enough to take care of his children and their children. He has a closet full of once-glittering world title belts. He is regarded as one of the world's finest at his craft.
``It's complete,'' Whitaker said.
Father Time will tell him when he's done. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
The Virginian-Pilot file\ Pernell Whitaker is one of only four 1984
U.S. Olympic boxers who is still active.
by CNB