Oscar De La Hoya says Pernell Whittaker was the most skillful fighter he ever faced. The Golden Boy made this claim in a feature with Ring Magazine, picking Whittaker over other boxing greats like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
De La Hoya's career was packed with big names and big fights. He won the top prize at the 1992 Olympic Games and went on to dominate as a pro, staying undefeated for his first 31 fights. His first loss came against Felix Trinidad in 1999, and he later faced off against both Mayweather and Pacquiao.
But it's Whittaker who left the biggest impression on De La Hoya. He explained why:
"Whitaker had to be one of the most skillful fighters in any generation – the fact he could stay right in front of you and could still slip the punches. Whitaker wasn't a runner; he was just someone who stood right in front of you and knew how to slip. Whitaker knew how to knock you out, too. Punching power, skill, I.Q. – Whitaker had it all. He's probably one of the all-around best boxers I faced."
De La Hoya and Whittaker squared off on April 12, 1997, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Many fans felt Whittaker should have won the fight, even though De La Hoya got the unanimous decision. Whittaker even knocked De La Hoya down in the ninth round.
Whittaker was a four-weight world champion and held the WBC Welterweight World Title when he faced De La Hoya. His career spanned 44 fights with 40 wins and 4 losses before he retired in 2001. Sadly, Whittaker passed away in 2019 after being hit by a car while crossing the road.
De La Hoya had high praise for other opponents too. He called Mayweather the smartest fighter and said he had the best footwork. Pacquiao got the nod as the best overall. But for pure skill, nobody topped Whittaker in De La Hoya's eyes.
This ranking from De La Hoya carries a lot of weight. He was one of boxing's biggest stars during his time and faced off against many of the sport's legends. His opinion gives us a unique glimpse into what it was like to face these great fighters in the ring.
