A former boxing world champion has died at the age of 55 after being hit by a vehicle .
Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was involved in the smash in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Sunday night according to American police .
Whitaker was a world champion in four divisions - WBC lightweight, IBF light welterweight, WBC welterweight and WBA light middleweight.
The American retired in 2001 after compiling a 40-4-1 record including 17 knockouts and later worked as a trainer.
A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Whitaker was named boxer of the year by Ring magazine in 1989.
He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1984.
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather lead tributes to Pernell online, posting a picture of the pair posing together just two days ago.
His Instagram post read: "RIP champ. One of the best fighters to ever do it."
Whitaker was pronounced dead at a Virginia Beach crossroad after police were called to the scene of an accident, a report said.
Whitaker was walking when he was hit by the car.
The driver of the car remained at the scene and the accident is still under investigation, police added.
