Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker is still looking for respect. While it is true that he was hosed back in 1991 when Julio Cesar Chavez won an undeserved split decision, Whitaker would have you believe he beat Oscar De La Hoya year before last. He didn't, and his skills have been suspect ever since. Whitaker, after all, won his gold at the 1984 Olympics, and fifteen years is a long time -- several lifetimes in boxing.
More to the point, Whitaker failed two drug tests last year. He entered rehab but left early. He claims he's fine, but who knows? One thing for sure, he doesn't belong in the ring with Felix Trinidad right now. Trinidad may be the best there is in the welterweight division. Whitaker needs at least a tune-up fight before he takes on a title shot, but he's old and knows he has few big paydays left. This may, in fact, be his last one.
Trinidad has the power to take out Whitaker unless Sweet Pea is at his slippery sharpest. We expect Whitaker to bob and weave, and Trinidad to doggedly press forward and be the aggressor. After this fight, we want to see Trinidad against Oscar De La Hoya, because neither will be considered the best until they've proven themselves against the other.
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