Vernon Forrest

Vernon Forrest
Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Viper
Rated at	Welterweight Light middleweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1971-01-12)January 12, 1971 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Died	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	45
Wins	41
Wins by KO	29
Losses	3
No contests	1
Medal record Men's boxing Representing United States World Amateur Championships 1991 Sydney Light welterweight

Vernon Forrest (January 12, 1971 – July 25, 2009), nicknamed "The Viper", was an American professional boxer who held world titles at welterweight and light middleweight. In his career, he achieved three victories over Shane Mosley (once as an amateur and twice as a professional) and was upset twice by Ricardo Mayorga.

In 2009, Forrest was murdered after he was robbed at a gas station in the Mechanicsville neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia.

Early years and amateur career

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Forrest began boxing at the age of 9. After compiling an impressive 225-16 record as an amateur, he became the 1992 US junior welterweight champion, and won silver at the 1991 World Amateur Boxing Championships, losing in the finals to Kostya Tszyu. Forrest was the first in his family to graduate from high school receiving his diploma from Marquette Senior High School in Marquette, Michigan. Staying in Marquette, Forrest was on scholarship to Northern Michigan University where he majored in business administration through the U.S. Olympic Education Center. Forrest continued to train with the US National Team under head coach Al Mitchell.

He was a member of the 1992 US Olympic Team during the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He earned his Olympic position by beating Shane Mosley in the trials. After that fight, Forrest was the gold medal favorite heading in to the tournament. He would have to fight Cuban fighter Hector Vinent, a gold medallist, before reaching that goal. However, he was stricken with food poisoning a day before his first round bout and was beaten by Peter Richardson, who he'd previously defeated in a fight at the 1991 World Amateur Boxing Championships en route to winning the silver medal. He returned home to Augusta, then moved to Las Vegas, and made his professional debut on November 25, 1992.

Professional career

In his professional debut in November 1992, Forrest defeated Charles Hawkins. Through 1996, Forrest stopped 13 out of 15 opponents. Five were stopped in the first round.

As the years went by Forrest won a few minor title belts. In the year 2000 Forrest finally got his chance to fight for a major title belt against Raul Frank (for the IBF welterweight title). Unfortunately for Forrest however, a cut caused by an accidental head butt ended the bout in round three and the fight was ruled a no contest.

IBF champion

Forrest met Frank again in a rematch at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2001, on a Félix Trinidad undercard. Forrest dominated his opponent and won the fight by a unanimous decision to claim his first major professional boxing title.

Forrest vs Mosley I & II

In 2001, Forrest fought the WBC welterweight champion, Shane Mosley. Many considered Mosley to be the best fighter in the world, and he was the betting favorite to win the fight. Despite being the favorite, Mosley was dominated in this bout. Both fighters initially started strong, landing hard blows, but in the second round Forrest had Mosley hurt early and knocked him down for the first time in his career. A series of strong punches would put him down yet again later in the round. With his dominant performance, Forrest was awarded the Ring Magazine welterweight championship, effectively making him the new lineal champion.

Six months later, Forrest once again squared off against Mosley in a rematch. Despite a stronger performance from Mosley, Forrest won a clear cut decision, using his jab more effectively and through superior ring generalship. Forrest was now considered by many to be one of the top fighters in the world.

Setbacks against Mayorga

In January 2003, Forrest fought the WBA welterweight champion, Ricardo Mayorga. Mayorga was a mostly unknown fringe contender from Nicaragua and few gave him a chance to win against the significantly bigger and stronger Forrest. Mayorga shocked the world when he easily dominated Forrest, dropping him once in the first round and again in the third round. The referee would call off the fight after the second knockdown, as Forrest was visibly dazed and unable to get his footing.

Forrest would rematch Mayorga six months later, losing again, this time by a majority decision. The bout was close and competitive, with Mayorga mostly chasing Forrest around the ring while Forrest was content to fight from the outside.

On the comeback trail

Forrest took two years off from fighting because of injuries; Forrest had complete reconstructive surgery on his left arm. He had three surgeries two on his shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff and one on his left elbow to repair torn cartilage and nerve damages.

In his first fight since losing twice to Mayorga, Forrest knocked out Sergio Rios in two rounds. After the fight against Rios, Forrest stopped Elco Garcia in the tenth round.

Forrest won a controversial ten round unanimous decision over Ike Quartey on August 5, 2006, at Madison Square Theatre, New York City. The judges at ringside scored the fight, 95-94, 95-94, and 96-93.

On July 28, 2007, Forrest won a unanimous decision against Carlos Baldomir in Tacoma, Washington, frequently firing off heavy right blows at Baldomir. After twelve rounds, Forrest won a lopsided 118-109, 116-111, 118-109 decision to take the vacant WBC light middleweight title.

On December 1, 2007, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, he successfully defended his light middleweight title against Italian Michele Piccirillo, scoring an eleventh round TKO.

Losing the title

On June 7, 2008, Forrest lost his title to The Contender winner Sergio Mora via a 12 round majority decision. In the build-up to the fight, Forrest referred to Mora as "the pretender" and threatened to send him "out on a stretcher". However, Mora succeeded in pulling off the upset victory. The final scores were 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 in favor of Mora.

Reclaiming the title

Forrest reclaimed his WBC 154-pound title on September 14, 2008, against Sergio Mora via unanimous decision, the judges scores were 118-109, 117-110, and 119-110.

Professional boxing record

41 Wins (29 knockouts, 12 decisions), 3 Losses, 0 Draws, 1 No Contest
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Win	41-3	Sergio Mora	UD	12	2008-09-13	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Won WBC light middleweight title.
Loss	40-3	Sergio Mora	MD	12	2008-06-07	Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Lost WBC light middleweight title.
Win	40-2	Michele Piccirillo	TKO	11 (12), 2:21	2007-12-01	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	Retained WBC light middleweight title.
Win	39-2	Carlos Baldomir	UD	12	2007-07-28	Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, United States	Won vacant WBC light middleweight title.
Win	38-2	Ike Quartey	UD	10	2006-08-05	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	37-2	Elco Garcia	TKO	10 (10), 1:58	2005-10-21	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, United States
Win	36-2	Sergio Rios	TKO	2 (10), 2:43	2005-07-16	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	35-2	Ricardo Mayorga	MD	12	2003-07-12	Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	For WBC, WBA (Super), & The Ring welterweight titles.
Loss	35-1	Ricardo Mayorga	TKO	3 (12), 2:06	2003-01-25	Pechanga Entertainment Center, Temecula, California, United States	Lost WBC & The Ring welterweight titles. For WBA (Super) welterweight title.
Win	35-0	Shane Mosley	UD	12	2002-07-20	Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States	Retained WBC & The Ring welterweight titles.
Win	34-0	Shane Mosley	UD	12	2002-01-26	MSG Theater, New York, New York, United States	Won WBC & vacant The Ring welterweight titles.
Win	33-0	Edgar Ruiz	KO	4 (10), 2:03	2001-08-24	Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, United States
Win	32-0	Raul Frank	UD	12	2001-05-12	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Won vacant IBF welterweight title.
NC	-	Raul Frank	NC	3 (12), 1:45	2000-08-26	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	For vacant IBF welterweight title.
Win	31-0	Vince Phillips	UD	12	2000-01-22	Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained NABF welterweight title.
Win	30-0	Santiago Samaniego	TKO	7 (12), 1:21	1999-08-27	Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, United States	Retained NABF welterweight title.
Win	29-0	Ed Goins	KO	4 (10), 2:57	1999-06-19	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	28-0	Steve Martinez	TKO	1 (12), 1:26	1999-04-16	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States	Retained NABF welterweight title.
Win	27-0	Mark Fernandez	TKO	2 (8), ?:??	1999-02-20	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	26-0	Ed Griffin	TKO	2 (12), ?:??	1998-12-12	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Retained NABF welterweight title.
Win	25-0	Adrian Stone	TKO	11 (12), 1:27	1998-08-18	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States	Won vacant NABF welterweight title.
Win	24-0	Gilberto Flores	TKO	2 (?), ?:??	1998-03-28	Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	23-0	Ray Oliveira	UD	12	1997-11-07	Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Won WBC Continental Americas welterweight title.
Win	22-0	Jaime Lerma	UD	10	1997-08-19	Convention Center, Austin, Texas, United States
Win	21-0	Pedro Saiz	TKO	6 (10), ?:??	1997-05-05	Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	20-0	Francisco De Assis	TKO	1 (?), ?:??	1997-04-05	Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	19-0	Mike Rios	TKO	1 (?), ?:??	1997-01-24	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	18-0	Chris Slaughter	KO	1 (10), ?:??	1996-05-10	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	17-0	Isaac Cruz	KO	8 (?), ?:??	1996-04-09	Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, United States
Win	16-0	Tony Ortiz	KO	1 (8), 1:29	1996-02-22	Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win	15-0	Marlon Thomas	UD	12	1995-11-28	Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, United States

Charity work

Forrest was involved directly with the creation of the Not for Profit Destiny's Child, a group home that assists people with developmental, emotional, and psychological disabilities and needs. Forrest was also involved directly with helping the clients by organizing Destiny's Child's activities.

Murder

At about 11:00 pm EDT on July 25, 2009, Forrest stopped at a gas station in the Atlanta neighborhood of Mechanicsville. With him was his 11-year-old godson. As the boy went inside the gas station, Forrest went to the back of his car to add air to a low tire. As this occurred, a man robbed him at gunpoint and fled. Forrest, who was armed, went after the man and shots were exchanged. After a short distance, Forrest gave up the chase and began talking to a second man. It was this man that shot Forrest seven to eight times in the back. According to police, the shooter and a second person left the scene in a red Pontiac. Forrest was pronounced dead at the scene and the death was ruled a homicide. Atlanta Police would arrest and later charge 25-year-old Jquante Crews, 20-year-old Demario Ware and 30-year-old Charman Sinkfield for his murder. It is believed that Sinkfield was the shooter, Ware was the robber, and Crews was the driver. All three are currently serving life sentences. (Georgia Department of Corrections)

See also

• List of WBC world champions

External links

• Boxing record for Vernon Forrest from BoxRec
• Official Website {dead link}
• boxen-artur.de – Encyclopedia
• Obituary in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Vernon Forrest – Daily Telegraph obituary

Achievements
Vacant Title last held by Félix Trinidad	IBF Welterweight Champion May 12, 2001 – December 12, 2001 Stripped	Vacant Title next held by Michele Piccirillo
Preceded by Shane Mosley	WBC Welterweight Champion January 26, 2002 – January 25, 2003	Succeeded by Ricardo Mayorga
Vacant Title last held by Marlon Starling	The Ring Welterweight Champion January 26, 2002 – January 25, 2003
Vacant Title last held by Floyd Mayweather, Jr.	WBC Super Welterweight Champion July 28, 2007 – June 7, 2008	Succeeded by Sergio Mora
Preceded by Sergio Mora	WBC Super Welterweight Champion September 14, 2008 – May 21, 2009 Stripped	Succeeded by Sergio Martinez Interim Champion Promoted