The gloves are gone, but the mark he left still hits home as Whitaker Weekend kicks off with a Thursday night gala.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A hometown hero is back in the spotlight this weekend as the city kicks off “Whitaker Weekend,” a three-day celebration honoring boxing legend Pernell Whitaker.
The event recognizes Whitaker’s legacy both inside and outside the ring, while also raising money for a youth boxing program that carries his name.
“It’s not about the fight — it’s about honoring the fighter,” some organizers said as the celebration got underway on Thursday night.
Whitaker, a Norfolk native and Olympic gold medalist, built a career defined by world titles across multiple weight classes and elite defensive skill. But organizers said this weekend is about more than his accomplishments in boxing.
Coordinator Tiffany Jenkins said the goal is simple: keep Whitaker’s impact alive.
“We want to revive people’s memory of Sweet Pea — his legacy and what he meant to the Hampton Roads area,” Jenkins said.
At the heart of Whitaker Weekend is a focus on mentorship and community impact.
Virginia Beach City Councilman Cash Green, who helped lead the effort, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond boxing.
“This is not just about boxing, but it’s about mentorship. Youth mentorship in the boxing community,” Green said.
Funds raised during the weekend will support the Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker Youth Boxing Club, an after-school program based at Powerhouse Gym. The initiative supports youth through mentorship and boxing discipline.
Councilman Green believes the program is somewhere young men and women can turn to for guidance they may not have at home.
“They can come to the boxing community and have a father mentor them,” he said.
Among those attending is Dr. Khalilah Camacho Ali, the former wife of Muhammad Ali and a close friend of Whitaker.
“He left a legacy,” she said.
Ali described Whitaker as someone who helped young people channel their energy in positive ways.
“We have children out here who need something to look forward to,” she said. “Sweet Pea showed them how to put that energy in the right place. And I admire him for that.”
She returned to Virginia for the first time since Whitaker’s death in 2019 to support the event, and to make sure his name still holds weight.
“He’s like an unsung hero,” she said.
Whitaker Weekend continues through Saturday, wrapping up with a showcase featuring up-and-coming boxers inspired by Whitaker’s legacy.
The weekend is also bringing out some of boxing’s biggest names. Scheduled appearances include former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Olympic gold medalist Mark Breland, both teammates of Whitaker on the U.S. Olympic boxing team.
Watch 13News Now’s interview with Dr. Khalilah Camacho Ali on LIVE Impact News below: