The Fight City Podcast No. 26
Welcome back to a new episode of The Fight City Podcast, hosted by Alden Chodash who this week is joined by boxing historian and site contributor Patrick Connor. Forgive the somber mood, but words of both regret and homage are in order as Alden and Patrick reflect on the death of an all-time great fighter and arguably the best southpaw ever, Pernell Whitaker, whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident this past Sunday. There’s also some discussion of the Top Rank card featuring Shakur Stevenson that Alden attended in Newark this past weekend, as well as a look ahead to the big Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman show. Plus, exclusive interviews with Ronald “Winky” Wright, Andre Ward, and Tim Bradley as they give their picks for the “PacMan” vs “One Time” showdown. Check it out:
“It took years for Whitaker’s genius to be fully grasped by fans and pundits alike, and just when it seemed he’d found a groove in retirement — training, on the lookout for young fighters to mentor — the boxing world lost him. “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, the four-division champion, was struck by a car and killed in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Sunday night. … Winning fights isn’t easy. Becoming a multiple-division champion is harder still, never mind rising above all other fighters around. But to do those things with little punching power and a decidedly unaesthetic boxing style requires something truly special. Whitaker did this for more than a decade.” From “Pernell Whitaker: Gone Too Soon” by Patrick Connor
