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Vernon Forrest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vernon Forrest | |
| Image:Vernonviper.jpg |
|
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Vernon Forrest |
| Nickname | The Viper |
| Weight | Light Middleweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth date | January 12, 1971 |
| Birth place | Augusta, Georgia |
| Style | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 41 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 28 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 1 |
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.
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Vernon began his stellar amateur career at the tender 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 Atlanta and turned pro.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 controversial 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.
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 his then girlfriend and her mother, 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.
| Preceded by Title vacated by Felix Trinidad |
IBF Welterweight Champion May 12, 2001– December 12, 2001 |
Succeeded by Vacancy filled by Michele Piccirillo |
| Preceded by Shane Mosley |
WBC Welterweight Champion January 26, 2002– January 25, 2003 |
Succeeded by Ricardo Mayorga |
| Preceded by Bernard Hopkins |
Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year 2002 |
Succeeded by James Toney |