Whitaker survives split decision over Rivera

MARIGOT, St. Martin (UPI): Pernell Whitaker, who has been clamoring over the loss of his mythical "World's Best Fighter" title, barely survived a mandatory defense of his WBC welterweight title Friday night, gaining a split decision over Wilfredo Rivera.

Whitaker, who had the upper hand early, was unable to solve his undefeated challenger and barely hung on in the late rounds.

Judge Barbara Perez scored the fight 116-114 in favor of Rivera while Judge George St. Aude had Whitaker in front 115-113. Judge Tomatsu Tomihara broke the stalemate and had Whitaker in front 117-112.

Earlier in the evening, Ike Quartey, the WBA welterweight champion, posted an impressive third-round knockout of Vince Phillips.

Whitaker's victory sets the stage for a unification fight with either Quartey or International Boxing Federation champion Felix Trinidad later this year.

"We want Whitaker now," Quartey proclaimed tonight. "Any time, anywhere, any place."

After the fight both Whitaker and trainer Lou Duva admitted that negotiations are underway for a fight with Trinidad.

"Once I can get one of these bums in the ring, someone who can give me a challenge, I'll get up for it and you'll have a great fight," said Whitaker.

Whitaker, making his sixth title defense, is 38-1-1 with 16 knockouts. His lackluster performance further casts doubts that he is boxing's premiere fighter, an honor that almost unanimously belongs to IBF super middleweight champion Roy Jones Jr.

Using his trademark -- elusive defense -- Whitaker was able to dominate a conservative Rivera in the early rounds. But an accidental head butt in third round opened up a gash just above the hairline of the left eye.

Rivera, who fell to 23-1-1, converted to his left hand in an attempt to keep blood from running into his eye. The strategy, combined with a more aggressive fight plan got the challenger back into the fight.

"The blood was in my eyes and most of the time, I was only fighting Whitaker with one eye because I couldn't see out of the other eye," said Rivera.

Fatigue

Quartey, of Ghana, survived two furious rounds before taking advantage of a weary Phillips. Using his jab and counter- punching, Quartey rode out Phillips' attempt to end the fight early.

The third round started the same as the previous two but Phillips began to show signs of fatigue midway through the round. Quartey (32-0, 28 KOs) took advantage by stinging the challenger with a right to the chin.

The champion jumped on the wobbly Phillips and landed a series of blows, culminating in a left-right-left combination to the chin. The final blow sent Phillips through the ropes. Phillips was able to beat the count but Quartey pounced on the defenseless fighter.

Referee Julio Cesar Alvarado stepped in and stopped the fight with 29 seconds left in the round.

"The third round was when I started," Quartey said. "I watched the tapes and saw that's how he fights. I used my jab to wear him down."

Phillips, who has battled substance abuse and conditioning problems in the past, lost for just the second time in 35 fights.