Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was a four-weight world champion, having won titles at lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight; the undisputed lightweight title; and the lineal lightweight and welterweight titles. In 1989, Whitaker was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. From 1993 to 1997, The Ring ranked him as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound. He currently holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history at six title defenses. Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time. Whitaker passed away suddenly in July 2019 at the age of 55.

This 16" x 23" April 12th 1997 Oscar De La Hoya fight poster was signed in black by Whitaker and iscribed, "Sweet Pea" and "07 HOF." This poster includes a JSA sticker and COA.