Vernon Forrest
Vernon Forrest | |||||||||||||||
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Born | Atlanta, Georgia , U.S. | February 12, 1971||||||||||||||
Nationality | American | ||||||||||||||
Other names | The Viper | ||||||||||||||
Statistics | |||||||||||||||
Weight(s) | |||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft (183 cm)[1] | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 72+1⁄2 in (184 cm)[1] | ||||||||||||||
Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||
Boxing record | |||||||||||||||
Total fights | 45 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 41 | ||||||||||||||
Wins by KO | 29 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 3 | ||||||||||||||
No contests | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Vernon Forrest (February 12, 1971 – July 25, 2009) was an American
In 2009, Forrest was murdered after he was robbed at a gas station in the
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.[2] 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.[2]
He was a member of the
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.
Welterweight
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 welterweight champion
Forrest met Frank again in a rematch at Madison Square Garden on May 12, 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
In 2001, Forrest fought the WBC and lineal welterweight champion, Shane Mosley.[3] 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 also awarded the Ring Magazine welterweight title.
Forrest vs Mosley II
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.
Forrest vs. Mayorga I
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 vs. Mayorga II
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.
Light middleweight
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.[4]
WBC Light middleweight champion
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.
Forrest vs. Mora
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".[5] However, Mora succeeded in pulling off the upset victory.[6] The final scores were 114–114, 115–113 and 116–112 in favor of Mora.[7][8]
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.[9]
Charity work
Forrest was involved directly with the creation of the
Murder
At about 11:00 pm
Professional boxing record
45 fights | 41 wins | 3 losses |
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By knockout | 29 | 1 |
By decision | 12 | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
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45 | Win | 41–3 (1) | Sergio Mora | UD | 12 | Sep 13, 2008
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MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBC super welterweight title |
44 | Loss | 40–3 (1) | Sergio Mora | MD | 12 | Jun 7, 2008 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. | Lost WBC super welterweight title |
43 | Win | 40–2 (1) | Michele Piccirillo | TKO | 11 (12), 2:21 | Dec 1, 2007 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | Retained WBC super welterweight title |
42 | Win | 39–2 (1) | Carlos Baldomir | UD | 12 | Jul 28, 2007 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington , U.S.
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Won vacant WBC super welterweight title |
41 | Win | 38–2 (1) | Ike Quartey | UD | 10 | Aug 5, 2006 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
40 | Win | 37–2 (1) | Elco Garcia | TKO | 10 (10), 1:58 | Oct 21, 2005 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | |
39 | Win | 36–2 (1) | Sergio Rios | TKO | 2 (10), 2:43 | Jul 16, 2005 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
38 | Loss | 35–2 (1) | Ricardo Mayorga | MD | 12 | Jul 12, 2003
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The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
37 | Loss | 35–1 (1) | Ricardo Mayorga | TKO | 3 (12), 2:06 | Jan 25, 2003 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | Lost WBC and The Ring welterweight titles; For WBA (Super) welterweight title |
36 | Win | 35–0 (1) | Shane Mosley | UD | 12 | Jul 20, 2002 | Indianapolis, Indiana , U.S.
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Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles |
35 | Win | 34–0 (1) | Shane Mosley | UD | 12 | Jan 26, 2002 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won WBC and vacant The Ring welterweight titles |
34 | Win | 33–0 (1) | Edgar Ruiz | KO | 4 (10), 2:03 | Aug 24, 2001 | Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia , U.S.
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33 | Win | 32–0 (1) | Raul Frank | UD | 12 | May 12, 2001
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Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant IBF welterweight title |
32 | NC | 31–0 (1) | Raul Frank | NC | 3 (12), 1:45 | Aug 26, 2000 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Vacant IBF welterweight title at stake; NC after Frank was cut from an accidental head clash |
31 | Win | 31–0 | Vince Phillips | UD | 12 | Jan 22, 2000 | The Joint , Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
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Retained WBC-NABF welterweight title |
30 | Win | 30–0 | Santiago Samaniego | TKO | 7 (12), 1:21 | Aug 27, 1999 | Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | Retained WBC-NABF welterweight title |
29 | Win | 29–0 | Ed Goins | KO | 4 (10), 2:57 | Jun 19, 1999 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
28 | Win | 28–0 | Steve Martinez | TKO | 1 (12), 1:56 | Apr 16, 1999 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. | Retained WBC-NABF welterweight title |
27 | Win | 27–0 | Mark Fernandez | TKO | 2 (8), 1:48 | Feb 20, 1999 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 26–0 | Ed Griffin | TKO | 2 (12), 2:38 | Dec 12, 1998 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained WBC-NABF welterweight title |
25 | Win | 25–0 | Adrian Stone | TKO | 11 (12), 1:27 | Aug 18, 1998 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi , U.S.
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Won vacant WBC-NABF welterweight title |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Gilberto Flores | TKO | 2 | Mar 28, 1998 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Ray Oliveira | UD | 12 | Nov 7, 1997 | Bally's Las Vegas , Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
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Won vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Jaime Lerma | UD | 10 | Aug 19, 1997 | Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Pedro Saiz | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | May 5, 1997 | Broadway by the Bay Theater , Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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20 | Win | 20–0 | Francisco De Assis | TKO | 1 (10) | Apr 5, 1997 | Bally's Park Place , Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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19 | Win | 19–0 | Mike Rios | TKO | 1 | Jan 24, 1997 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Chris Slaughter | KO | 1 (10) | May 10, 1996 | New York City, New York , U.S.
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17 | Win | 17–0 | Isaac Cruz | KO | 8 (10), 2:05 | Apr 9, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Tony Ortiz | KO | 1 (8), 1:29 | Feb 22, 1996 | Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana, U.S. | |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Marlon Thomas | UD | 12 | Nov 28, 1995 | Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | Won vacant title |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Jesus Mayorga | TKO | 1 (10) | Nov 3, 1995 | The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Roberto Chala | TKO | 3 (6) | Sep 12, 1995 | Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Julian Romero | TKO | 2 (10) | Jul 15, 1995 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Dezi Ford | TKO | 4, 1:53 | Apr 18, 1995 | The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Genaro Andujar | KO | 1 | Mar 4, 1995 | The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts , U.S.
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9 | Win | 9–0 | Carlos Cartagena | UD | 6 | Jan 25, 1995 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey , U.S.
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8 | Win | 8–0 | Randy Archuleta | KO | 1 (6) | Nov 5, 1994 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Elvesto Mills | UD | 6 | Feb 5, 1994 | The Aladdin , Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
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6 | Win | 6–0 | Lamont Johnson | TKO | 1 | Dec 18, 1993 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada , U.S.
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5 | Win | 5–0 | Eldon Sneeze | TKO | 1 | Oct 20, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi , U.S.
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4 | Win | 4–0 | Theodore Carradine | TKO | 3 (6), 2:08 | Jul 17, 1993 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Augustine Renteria | TKO | 2 (6), 1:40 | Jun 7, 1993 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Ray Garcia | TKO | 1 (4), 2:35 | Jan 30, 1993 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Charles Hawkins | TKO | 1 (4), 1:29 | Nov 25, 1992 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. |
References
- ^ HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the first Ricardo Mayorgafight.
- ^ a b c HBO: Fighters Bio; VERNON FORREST
- ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ "Forrest wins unanimous -- and controversial -- decision". ESPN.com. 2006-08-05. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ "Morales: Trash-talking Forrest hardly fazes Mora". ESPN.com. 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
- ^ Staff Writer (2008-06-07). "'Contender' Mora shocks Forrest for WBC superwelter belt". Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ^ 411mania.com: Sports – Mora Upsets Forrest – Williams Gains Revenge Archived 2008-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Pavlik retains middleweight titles, Mora beats Forrest". Reuters. June 8, 2008.
- ^ ap.google.com, Forrest batters Mora, recaptures 154-pound crown Archived September 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Destiny's Child, Inc Main Webpage". Destiny's Child, Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
- ^ McLaughlin, Eliott (July 29, 2009). "Friends on killed boxer". CNN. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
- ^ Facey-Palmer, Erika; J. Leslie (2009-07-26). "Boxing Pro Vernon Forrest Murdered in Atlanta". WXIA-TV. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
- ^ Raisa Habersham, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Killer of boxer Vernon Forrest gets life without parole". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
External links
- Boxing record for Vernon Forrest from BoxRec (registration required)
- Vernon Forrest at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- Vernon Forrest obituary in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Vernon Forrest obituary at The Daily Telegraph
Sporting positions | ||||
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Amateur boxing titles | ||||
Previous: Stevie Johnston |
U.S. light welterweight champion 1991 |
Next: Shane Mosley | ||
Regional boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Edgar Ruiz
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WBC Continental Americas welterweight champion November 7, 1997 – August 1998 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Jorge Vaca
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Derrell Coley
|
NABF welterweight champion August 18, 1998 – August 2000 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Danny Perez Ramírez
| ||
Minor world boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Corey Johnson
|
champion November 28, 1995 – February 1996 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Søren Søndergaard
| ||
Major world boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Félix Trinidad
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IBF welterweight champion May 12, 2001 – December 2001 Stripped |
Vacant Title next held by Michele Piccirillo
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Preceded by Shane Mosley
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WBC welterweight champion January 26, 2002 – January 25, 2003 |
Succeeded by | ||
Vacant Title last held by Marlon Starling
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The Ring welterweight champion January 26, 2002 – January 25, 2003 | |||
Preceded by Shane Mosley
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Lineal welterweight champion January 26, 2002 – January 25, 2003 | |||
Vacant Title last held by Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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WBC super welterweight champion July 28, 2007 – June 7, 2008 |
Succeeded by | ||
Preceded by Sergio Mora
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WBC super welterweight champion September 14, 2008 – May 21, 2009 Stripped |
Succeeded by | ||
Awards | ||||
Previous: Bernard Hopkins |
The Ring Fighter of the Year 2002 |
Next: James Toney | ||
BWAA Fighter of the Year 2002 | ||||
Welterweight status | ||||
Previous: Luis Manuel Rodríguez |
Latest born world champion to die July 25, 2009 – present |
Incumbent | ||
Light middleweight status | ||||
Previous: Duane Thomas |
Latest born world champion to die July 25, 2009 – present |
Incumbent |