Vernon Forrest

Infobox_Boxer|name=Vernon Forrest


realname=Vernon Forrest
nickname=The Viper
weight=Light Middleweight
height= 6 ft (182 cm)
nationality= Flagicon|USA American
birth_date=Birth date and age|1971|2|12|mf=y
death_date=
birth_place=Augusta, Georgia
home=Atlanta, Georgia
style=Orthodox
total=45
wins=41
KO=29
losses=3
draws=0
no contests=1

Vernon Forrest, nicknamed "The Viper", is a professional boxer. He was born in Augusta, Georgia on february 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 continuing 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 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 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 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

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. 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 controversial ten round unanimous decision over Ike Quartey on August 5 in 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 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.

Forrest's most recent fight took place 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 tv series 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". [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3424644 ESPN - Mora in search of respect against Forrest - Boxing ] ] However, Mora succeeded in pulling off the upset victory. [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hb_j3GWrpLZEH1HECE0aH890WGjQ] The final scores were 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 in favor of Mora. [ [http://www.411mania.com/sports/boxing/77404 411mania.com: Sports - Mora Upsets Forrest - Williams Gains Revenge ] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSB22003620080608?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10001 Pavlik retains middleweight titles, Mora beats Forrest | Sports | Reuters ] ]

Reclaiming the title

Vernon Forrest (41-3) reclaimed his WBC 154-pound title on September 14, 2008, against Sergio Mora via unanimous decision, the judges score were 118-109, 117-110 and 119-110. [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8r67hiW-BHBby4D48XEKaM981owD9368KDO0 ap.google.com, Forrest batters Mora, recaptures 154-pound crown] ]

Destiny's Child Inc.

Forrest's passions begin with his desire to help the mentally challenged. Creating a blue print for charity and assistance to those without, he helped to create and establish Destiny's Child, Inc.; (D.C.I.) a group home that provides housing and assistance to mentally challenged adults the home provides 24-hour supervision by trained mental health professionals. Currently Forrest is no longer involved with Destiny’s instead he is concentrating on his boxing career.

See also

* List of WBC world champions
* List of current world boxing champions

References

External links

* [http://boxing.about.com/od/records/a/forrest.htm Vernon Forrest Fight-by-Fight Career Record]
*
* [http://www.vernonforrest.com Official Website]