- Ringside by Gus
- » Boxing
- » Vernon Forrest
- » Boxing
Vernon Forrest RIP aka "The Viper" was killed Saturday night, July 25, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. While putting air in his tires at a gas station two men jumped out of a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo and tried to steal Forrest's Jaguar. Forrest had a gun and started running after the suspects and gunfire was exchanged. Forrest was fatally shot 7 to 8 times in the back and at least once in the head by the suspects.
Vernon "The Viper" Forrest
The undefeated Vernon Forrest dealt Shane Mosley his first two losses in 2002 capturing his WBC welterweight title and winning the vacant Ring Magazine welterweight championship of the world in their first meeting. But then Forrest suffered his own first defeats in 2003 at the hands of wild puncher Richardo Mayorga who took Forrest's WBC and Ring Magazine welterweight titles. Forrest didn't fight again for two years after his back to back losses to Mayorga, pledged by elbow and shoulder injuries and probably self doubt. He came back in 2005 and fought lightly regarded light middleweight opponents Sergio Rios and Elco Garcia winning both fights by TKO victory.
Forrest vs Quartey Decision
Vernon Forrest, now re-established in the super welterweight division got an HBO fight with former welterweight champion Ike Quartey. The fight took place on August 5, 2006 at Madison Square Garden. Forrest won by a controversial 10-round unanimous decision. Those ringside as well as the crowd thought Quartey won the fight. True, Forrest was the busier of the two but he was back peddling a lot and Quartey's good defense made it hard for Forrest to hit his target. Quartey kept the pressure on the retreating Forrest and was landing the heavier punches at a higher rate. Forrest even lost a point for a low blow in the 9th round. Yet the scores came in at 96-93, 95-94, 95-94 all for Forrest. After it was announced that Vernon Forrest had won a unanimous decision victory over Ike Quartey the crowd reacted vocally loudly booing the decision and chanting bullshit.
Having not fought for a year Forrest picked up the vacant WBC light middleweight title winning a bout against former world champion Carlos Manuel Baldomir on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Emerald Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Rapidly unloading with both hands, moving and feinting, Forrest looked good in the fight against the tough Baldomir quelling doubts about his boxing skills.
Forrest beat Italian Michele Piccirillo (48-4-0, 40 KOs) by 11th round TKO on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. It was Forrest's first WBC light middleweight title defense. Forrest knocked Piccirillo in the 6th, 9th and 11th rounds before referee Arthur Mercante Jr. waved off the bout.
Forrest lost to Sergio Mora (21-0-1, 5 KOs) by 12-round MD on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The fight took place on the Quintana-Williams card airing live on Showtime. Forrest-Mora scorecards read 113-115, 112-116 and 114-114. Forrest also lost his WBC light middleweight title to Mora. The 37 year old Forrest won the first three rounds but appeared to run out of steam in the latter rounds.
Forrest-Mora Scorecard
Forrest beat Sergio Mora (21-1-1, 5 KOs) by 12-round unanimous decision on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Scores were 119-108, 118-109 and 117-110. Forrest scored a knockdown in round seven, had Mora in trouble in round nine and on his back foot for a majority of the bout. In addition to his win Forrest recaptured his WBC Light Middleweight Title that he lost to Mora in June by 12-round majority decision.
