Ish-boksieri i njohur amerikan Pernell Whitaker ka ndërruar jetën ditën e djeshme pas një aksidenti automobilistik në Virginia, SHBA. 55-vjeçari ka qenë konsideruar si një ndër boksierët më të mirë të gjitha kohërave për shkak sukseseve të njëpasnjëshme në katër divizione peshash (lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, super welterweight).
Boxing Legend Pernell Whitaker, was hit and killed by a car. R.I.P. https://t.co/POHRQWk4mV
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 15, 2019
Whitaker mbylli karrierën e tij si boksier profesionist në vitin 2001 duke lënë pas vetes një rekord prej 40 fitoresh (17 nokaut), 5 humbjesh dhe një barazim. Vdekja e legjendës së ringut ka sjellë reagime nga shumë figura të njohura të sportit.
I’m truly lost for words to hear Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker is no longer with us. He was a flawless fighter. Condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/pZZEceN7h2
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) July 15, 2019
God bless Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker and his family. Pernell showed us that boxing could be an art as well as a sweet science.
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 15, 2019
I am saddened to learn of my good friend and Olympic teammate Pernell Whitaker's untimely passing last night.
We share so many great memories. He was small in statue but yet so big in heart and skills inside the ring, there will never be another like him, he will truly be missed pic.twitter.com/IqmXkqpqkG— Evander Holyfield (@holyfield) July 15, 2019
Rest in Love King! ??
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Pernell Whitaker 1964-2019 pic.twitter.com/tNznlMbTpo— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) July 15, 2019