THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100561
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 44 lines
Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker said in May he would not fight Wilfredo Rivera again, though his handlers have said for weeks that he would.
The handlers were right.
Final details were announced Tuesday of a rematch between Rivera and Whitaker, who won an uninspired split decision April 12. The rematch was mandated by the World Boxing Council - an unusual move by a sanctioning body - because it questioned the correctness of the decision. The bout for Whitaker's welterweight title will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center Sept. 20.
Whitaker almost got the mega-fight he craves instead of the rematch he loathes against an unknown fighter. Sugar Ray Leonard nearly came out of retirement to fight Whitaker.
``Leonard had approached us about fighting,'' Whitaker co-manager Shelly Finkel said. ``It went pretty far. We were talking Caesars, we were talking November, we were talking about doing it at 157 pounds and we were talking price - about $5 million apiece. Then Mike Trainer, Leonard's lawyer, talked him out of it.''
Neither Trainer nor Leonard could be reached for comment. Leonard's last fight was a loss to Terry Norris in February 1991. He retired with a 36-2-1 record.
Whitaker said in May he would relinquish his world title rather than fight Rivera again.
``They can have their title,'' Whitaker said at the time. ``I'm not going to fight these mediocre fighters any more. I mean what I say.''
Whitaker is in San Antonio training and could not be reached for comment Tuesday. His trainer, Ronnie Shields, said though Whitaker is not happy about fighting Rivera (23-1) again, he's motivated to prove his close call last time was a fluke.
Whitaker (38-1-1) has additional motivation as well. Talks seem to be progressing toward a fight in April between Whitaker and rising young star Oscar De La Hoya.
``That will probably be his next fight,'' Finkel said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Whitaker by CNB