Boxer Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker fights by one motto: You cannot hit what you cannot catch. During his career he won the 1984 Olympic gold medal and six professional titles in four weight classes. Whitaker, however, is best known for the fights he did not win: a controversial draw against Julio Cesar Chavez and a tough loss to Oscar De La Hoya. Long considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in boxing, Whitaker has taken his place as one of the best ever in his sport.

Growing up

Projects product

Pernell Whitaker was born January 2, 1964. He grew up in the Young Park federal housing project in Norfolk, Virginia. Whitaker, his four sisters, and two brothers shared a three-bedroom apartment with their parents, Raymond and Novella.

Whitaker says that he enjoyed his childhood home. "What matters isn't the size of your house or how much it costs but how much love is...