Former world champion Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker has died after being hit by a vehicle in the US, police have said.

The 55-year-old, who won gold at the Olympics in 1984, was pronounced dead in Virginia on Sunday night.

Whitaker was a world champion in four divisions – WBC lightweight, IBF light welterweight, WBC welterweight and WBA light middleweight.

The American retired in 2001 before working as a trainer.

He fought as a professional 46 times, winning 40 of those bouts – 17 by knockout.

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