Ghanaian boxing hall of famer, Azumah Nelson has paid glowing tribute to boxing legend Pernell Whitaker who passed on earlier today after being hit by a car.

Azumah in a statement expressed shock and sorrow over Whitaker’s demise and sent message of commiserations to the late boxer’s family.

He described him as “skillful and talented” boxer with a great personality.

“I have just learnt with deep sadness the sudden demise of boxing Hall of Famer Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker through a car accident and I can only imagine what his family is going through now. May God be their comforter in these difficult moments”.

“My heart goes out to the family and fans of this skillful and talented retired boxer who I had the privilege of fighting at a point during my career. I lost to him after an exciting 12rounds by a unanimous decision in the Lightweight division. I admired his respect for me after the decision was announced and how highly he referenced me in several media interviews. I was glad when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame two (2) years after my induction”, part of Azumah’s statement read.

Azumah and Whitaker

The late Whitaker and Azumah have an interesting history between them. On May 19, 1990, Whitaker handed Azumah the second defeat of his professional career in a thrilling bout at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Commenting on the bout in 2014, Azumah explained that he was distracted by news of late wife’s sickness.

“ “I received bad news about my sick wife ahead of the bout. I had a call from home that my wife’s situation was deteriorating. It affected me so much. I lost focus, I wasn’t concentrating. I wanted to just enter the ring and come out, so I could rush to my sick wife,” he said.



Full statement from Azumah

Azumah mourns Boxing Hall of Famer, Pernell Whitaker I have just learnt with deep sadness the sudden demise of boxing Hall of Famer Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker through a car accident and I can only imagine what his family is going through now. May God be their comforter in these difficult moments.

My heart goes out to the family and fans of this skillful and talented retired boxer who I had the privilege of fighting at a point during my career. I lost to him after an exciting 12rounds by a unanimous decision in the Lightweight division.

I admired his respect for me after the decision was announced and how highly he referenced me in several media interviews. I was glad when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame two (2) years after my induction.

With a highly admirable boxing career, Pernell delighted boxing fans around the world with his swift movement and foot works.

The boxing fraternity has lost a great family member, his family has indeed lost a great dad and boxing fans will surely miss him.

May He rest in perfect peace.