Whitaker, 51, has been in a fight of the century before — his epic bout vs. Julio Cesar Chavez in 1993. Whitaker a defensive wizard — two times harder to hit than Mayweather, While Chavez a Mexican legend many thought invincible, entered the bout with a record of 87-0.
The refs blew his shot at the upset of the century but says neither “Pacquiao nor Mayweather could touch him while he was in his prime.”
After some tumultuous late-career and post-retirement years, Whitaker appears to be keeping a low profile. He is not attending the fight and not seeking attention.
If asked, though, he’ll give his opinion. Looking at today’s fighters, he doesn’t see anyone who can lay a glove on his legacy, including the two in the ring tonight.
Whitaker says he would have made “easy” work of either.
Who’s to say? Cross-generational debates rage in every sport. That Whitaker reigned in an era when boxing mattered more and the pool of contenders was deep seems indisputable.
The rest makes for interesting talk. Whitaker leaves no doubt where he comes down.
“It’s their time,” he said. “You can always try to compare these guys, but there will never be another Pernell Whitaker.”