Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 70.189.172.162 (talk) at 01:52, 1 August 2007 (→External links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Vernon Forrest

Medal record
Representing  United States
Men’s Boxing
World Amateur Championships
	1991 Sydney	Light Welterweight

Vernon Forrest, nicknamed "The Viper", is a professional boxer. He was born in Augusta, Georgia on January 12, 1971. He is mostly known for his two fights with Shane Mosley.

Early Years & Amateur Career

Vernon began his amateur career at the age of 9.

He compiled an impressive 225-16 record, which included capturing the 1992 junior welterweight world amateur championship and the 1991 US junior welterweight national title. He received a scholarship to Northern Michigan University, where he majored in business administration. By conituing to stay focused, Forrest continued to train with the US National Team under the tutelage of head coach Al Mitchell.

Fulfilling his Olympic dream was the only reason Forrest left college. He was a member of the 1992 US Olympic Team that competed in Barcelona, Spain. He earned his Olympic berth by beating Shane Mosley in the trials. After that fight, Forrest was now the gold medal favorite heading in to the tournament. Unfortunately he was stricken with food poisoning a day before his first round bout and lost. He returned home to Augusta, moved to Las Vegas and turned pro.

Professional Career

In his professional debut in November of 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. It the year 2000 Forrest finally got his chance to fight for the IBF welterweight title against Raul Frank.

Unfortunately the fight did not turn out the way he hoped, as an accidental head butt ended the bout in round three. Forrest was forced to accept a no-contest.

Winning His First Major Title

Forrest met Frank again in a rematch at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2001 on a Felix Trinidad undercard. Forrest was on a mission as he showed his ring savvy and boxing brilliance throughout the fight, easily dominated his opponent, was declared the winner, and the new IBF welterweight champion of the world.

Forrest vs Mosley I & II

In 2001, Forrest won the The following year, he 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. However, Forrest scored an upset and beat Mosley by a one-sided unanimous decision. Six months later, Forrest once again defeated Mosley by a unanimous decision. His two wins over Mosley earned Forrest the Ring Magazine 2002 fighter of the year award.

Setbacks Against Mayorga

In January of 2003, Forrest fought the WBA welterweight champion, Ricardo Mayorga. Forrest suffered his first professional loss when Mayorga knocked him out in the third round. Later that year, he fought Mayorga again and lost by a disputed majority decision, with more than a few sportswriters and commentators believing he had won the fight.

On The Comeback Trail

After taking nearly two years off from fighting, Forrest is currently campaigning as a junior middleweight.

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

Forrest won a ten round unanimous decision over Ike Quartey on August 5 in New York City. The judges at ringside scored the fight, 95-94, 95-94, 96-93. The crowd at the Madison Square Theatre, loudly chanted against the decision, feeling that Quartey had won.

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

Destiny's Child Inc.

Outside the ring that Forrest keeps a busy schedule giving more than he receives. Forrest's passions begin with his desire to help the mentally challenged. Creating a blue print for charity and assistance to those without, Forrest, along with Toy Johnson and her mother,Clemintine Burch helped to create and establish Destiny's Child, Inc., (D.C.I.) a group home that provides housing and assistance to mentally challenged adults. Currently, there are 15-male clients ranging from age 16-28 living under Destiny's Child's roof (two houses and three apartments). The home provides 24-hour supervision by trained mental health professionals.

See also

• List of male boxers
• List of WBC world champions

External links

• Vernon Forrest Fight-by-Fight Career Record
• Vernon Forrest's Professional Record
• Official Website

|- style="text-align: center;" |- style="text-align:center;"

|style="width:30%;" rowspan="1"|Preceded by

| style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"| WBC Light Middleweight Champion
July 28 2007–

| style="width: 30%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"| Succeeded by

|-

• 1971 births
• American boxers
• Living people
• Welterweights
• World boxing champions
• People from Augusta, Georgia
• Boxers at the 1992 Summer Olympics
• Olympic competitors for the United States