Boxer Vernon Forrest: biography, achievements and interesting facts

There are people who are often remembered even after their death. This is especially true of public figures. The article will deal with a sportsman named Vernon Forrest - a man who was able to become a multiple world champion in boxing. About his life, we'll talk in more detail.

Birth and start of boxing

Forrest Vernon was born in the family of black parents on February 12, 1971 in the US state of Georgia. Our hero grew up in a large family. Already at the age of nine, Vernon started boxing. After eleven years from the start of training, he was able to become the champion of his country. And a year after reaching this peak, and did win the world title among amateurs. However, the Olympic champion Forrest Vernon never did. After receiving the right to speak at the Olympic Games, which were held in Barcelona, the American literally a day and the start of the most important boxing tournament among amateurs got the strongest food poisoning. Therefore, his defeat in the first fight was quite natural.

Transition to professionals

Failure at the Olympics only spurred Forrest into the professional boxing. At the time of the amateur's career, the soldier had 225 wins in 241 bouts.

Already the first fights in the professional ring showed that Vernon is a real star who can achieve a lot in this tough sport. Spending the first seven fights, he did not stay in the square of the ring for more than three rounds, as all his rivals were knocked out for such a period of time.

The first professional titles

Already after the fourteenth fight Vernon Forrest became the owner of the title according to the International Boxing Council.

The next significant duel for the American took place on August 26, 2000. In that battle he fought with Raul Frank. At stake was the vacant title of IBF Welterweight. In the third round, the boxers clashed their heads, as a result of which both could not continue the fight. The judge decided to make a verdict no contest. Their second meeting took place on May 12, 2001, after which the victory was celebrated by Forrest.

Duel with Mosley

In January 2002, Vernon Forrest, whose fights were popular with the discerning audience, went into the ring to challenge the world title with current champion Shane Mosley at the time . The fight was held at the famous arena Madison Square Garden.

Before this fight, all the experts were unanimous in the opinion that Mosley would win. At the same time, many specialists considered that Shane would not receive any significant dividends from this gain. At the same time for Forrest this fight was a battle of his life because he could break into the elite of the world boxing in case of his victory. Also, many remembered that during the selection for the 1992 Olympics Mosley lost to Forrest. In addition, in 2000, Vernon was able to defeat not someone, but the very Oscar de La Hoya.

Six thousand spectators gathered near the arena, chanting incessantly: "Sean, Shawn!". However, their idol was not destined to be defeated. Already in the second round Mosley was knocked down, which plunged the audience and experts into shock. No one expected this turn of events. And although Shane managed to pull herself together and even send Forrest in a knockdown in the eleventh round, yet in the end, Vernon celebrated the victory with the referee's decision.

Six months later, the revenge of these two boxers took place, in which again the strongest was Vernon Forrest. These two very significant victories led the International Boxing Hall to give his preference to the Viper and to recognize him as the best boxer of 2002.

Lost title

March 25, 2003 Forrest held a unification fight against WBA world champion Ricardo Mayorga. In that battle, for some reason or other, the American accepted the manner of the Nicaraguan fight and began with him what is called "chopping". Already at the end of the first three minutes, Mayorga flew to Forrest with a hail of blows and forced him to be on the floor, although it only happened because the American stumbled over his opponent's leg. However, the referee counted a very controversial knockdown. In the middle of the third round, Mayorga inflicted several side strikes and forced Vernon to press against the ropes. After this, Ricardo again held a side kick and sent Forrest to the canvas ring. The American immediately rose, but the referee considered that the boxer was in an inadequate condition and stopped the fight.

In July 2003, Forrest Vernon (Forrest Vernon) held a rematch with Mayorga, but was again defeated. True, this time the Nicaraguan won by a majority of the referee votes.

Continuation of career

In 2006, Vernon returned to the ring and won a decision from Hayk Quartey. However, many experts unanimously agreed that the victory was simply given to the American.

A year later, Vernon Forrest met with Carlos Manuel Baldomir and boxed with him for the vacant WBC world middleweight title and beat him on points.

Again at the top

In late 2007, Vernon for the first time came out to defend the WBC title against former IBF champion Michele Pichirillo. This fight was supposed to be held back in 2002, but then the American decided to rematch with Mosley.

In the sixth round, Vernon sent the Italian into a knockdown, although the last blow of Forrest fell on the back of the head. In the ninth round, the American again forced the referee to count Michele knockdown, as he was on his knees after a missed left hook in the jaw. Vernon tried to finish off the opponent, but the opponent completely overlapped and went into a blind defense.

As a result, the fight was still ended with PIC knockout in the 11th round. It happened after the right cross Vernon. At the same time, the Italian suffered a leg injury at the time of his fall.

Sunset career

The biography of the boxer (Forrest Vernon - no exception) will not be complete, if not to mention his recent fights.

On June 7, 2008, the American fought with Sergio Mora, undefeated at that time. The fight was very controversial and the judges preferred the Sea following the results of all 12 rounds. As for the opinion of the specialists invited to the channel, they did not have an unambiguous candidacy for the winner.

Such a result of the battle caused surprise among many also because Forrest and Mora often sparred and, according to eyewitnesses, Vernon always had an indisputable advantage.

Literally two months later, a rematch of these boxers took place, in which Forrest was the best. He managed to control the course of the fight and win all rounds.

Having won the title again, Vernon was not in a hurry to defend him, especially since the closest rival in that case would be the high-speed and very technical Argentinian Martinez. Long, simple without fights led to the fact that May 21, 2009 Forrest denied the title of champion.

Death

Sports biography (Vernon Forrest - a vivid confirmation of this) is interesting to many people, especially when it comes to the champions.

Unfortunately, the fate of the American was tragic. On July 25, 2009, Vernon pumped his car's tires at the gas station. At the same time, two criminals jumped from the approaching car and attempted to steal an athlete's car. Forrest had a pistol with him and started harassing the robbers, which led to the beginning of the shootout, which resulted in the release of Vernon eight bullets. One of them hit the former champion in the head. Already in August, all the robbers were found and arrested.

At the funeral of the legendary boxer who passed on August 3, there were such eminent sportsmen as Evander Holyfield, Buddy McGirt, Robert Allen, Antonio Tarver and others.