Oscar De La Hoya Survives Against Pernell Whitaker – April 12, 1997 (This Day In Boxing History)

Pernell Whitaker proved to be one of Oscar De La Hoya’s toughest opponents at the time.

But he managed to get by and won by unanimous decision after going the distance. De La Hoya maintained his unbeaten record and picked up the WBC welterweight title.

A large portion of the viewers, however, thought Whitaker had done enough to upset the young star.

In the third round, Whitaker had a point deducted when De La Hoya was cut by a clash of heads, which is according to WBC ruling.

But then it was in the ninth round when De La Hoya went down in a flash knockdown after being caught off balance by a left hand from Whitaker. Both men’s feet were tangled in the exchange.

Whitaker landed 232 of 582 punches to De La Hoya’s 191 of 556.