VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) – Former boxing champion Pernell Whitaker has died at age 55 after he was hit by a car in Virginia. Police in Virginia Beach say Whitaker was a pedestrian when struck by the car Sunday night. Whitaker was an Olympic gold medalist and welterweight champion. He was regarded as one of the greatest defensive fighters. He won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and made his pro debut on national television. He was fighting for a major title by his 17th fight, a loss to Jose Luis Ramirez that he would avenge the next year.