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DEL.ICIO.USPlenty of fight left in Forrest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
We now return to the more accepted form of fighting, that which involves humans (for the most part) and not dogs, competitors who box but don’t gnaw (usually) and losers who are actually free to return from defeat or medical ailments because there’s a pretty good chance their manager did not bury their carcass in the backyard.
Vernon Forrest used to be the second-most famous boxing champion in Atlanta, after Evander Holyfield. He’s now the second-most famous former champion trying to recapture youth, glory and a title, still after Holyfield.
Whereas Holyfield’s chase for another belt (Sansabelt?) has him sparring in lampoon central, Forrest’s pursuit isn’t endless.
He may be seven days away from a title.
The former welterweight champion — not far removed from three surgeries, acting school, a bit part in a movie and a two-year layoff — meets Carlos Baldomir next week for the vacant WBC junior middleweight (154-pound) championship in Tacoma, Wash.
“Evander’s trying to win the title again,” Forrest said, “and now I’m about to become a two-division champion.”
There are enough guys to joke about in boxing. Forrest isn’t one of them.
Nothing has ever come easy. He had a brilliant amateur career that ended prematurely in the 1992 Olympics, when food poisoning led to an early defeat. He returned to his native Augusta, moved to Atlanta and started a pro career. He won 33 straight bouts (with one no contest) and the IBF welterweight title. But he struggled for universal respect until 2002, when he recorded consecutives wins over the previously unbeaten “Sugar Shane” Mosley.
Now, Forrest had it all. Two title belts. Wealth. Charm. Adoration. Respect. He was named Ring Magazine’s 2002 Fighter of the Year. He started Destiny’s Child Inc., which provided housing and assistance to mentally challenged adults.
What’s that they say about everybody having 15 minutes of fame?
First came the title loss to the taunting and cigarette-smoking Ricardo Mayorga, who baited the sweet-boxing Forrest into a slugging match. Then came the rematch, another loss to Mayorga, though this time by disputed decision. Then came the pain in his left shoulder and arm he could no longer withstand.
“I really damaged it back in 1994 when I was sparring,” Forrest said. “But I couldn’t just take two years off to have surgery. I had to start my career.”
It took two shoulder surgeries and one elbow to fix a torn rotator and cartilage damage. Forrest was off for two years. He moved to Los Angeles, where he had the surgeries and then rehabbed.
Says he never really thought about retiring — particularly given the possible alternative.
“I had a role in [the film] ‘Tournament of Dreams,’ ” Forrest said, laughing. “It was supposed to come out in theaters, but it came out in Blockbuster instead.”
He played a girls’ basketball coach. “I had lines,” he said. “I tell them, ‘Do anything it takes to win.’ Basically I tell them to play dirty.”
His pay?
“Peanuts. I told myself, ‘I’ve got to get back into the ring.’ “
He did so in 2005. He moved back to Atlanta and up to 154 from welterweight (147), and in 2005 dropped Sergio Rios in two rounds. He probably became the first boxer in history to have a physical therapist in his corner, just in case he needed treatment for lingering nerve damage.
“The last time I was that nervous was my first fight when I was 9 years old,” Forrest said. “There was a lot of uncertainty because of the ring rust, the shoulder, everything.”
He followed that with wins over Elco Garcia and another former champion, Ike Quartey. The last was a unanimous but narrow and disputed decision.
But he’s here. He no longer is associated with Destiny’s Child, saying, “I needed to focus on boxing. That’s what I do best.”
Baldomir’s another former champion, but his record (43-10-6) isn’t nearly as impressive as Forrest’s (38-2).
His plans after this fight?
“I don’t have any,” he said. “This is all I’m thinking about. See, that’s a veteran’s answer. A younger guy might’ve told you something else.”
He’s learned not to assume his next chapter.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz
Comments
By JT Money
July 20, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Dogfighting is not a big deal. These are genetically-designed killing machines, not your run of the mill family pet. 50 millino people in USA cant afford health care, Osama is on the loose and there is a climate crisis. Why do Virginia feds spend millions pursuing a stupid case? Because they are Redskins fans. What is the difference between c** fighting and dog fighting? At the end of a c** fight, you have the fixins for a tasty chicken dinner. At the end of a dog fight, you have the fixins for a dinner that tastes like chicken! C’mon… what gives? I don’t care what Vick does as long as he entertains on the field.
By Enough
July 21, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
How many boxers have been killed or left to rot like a vegetble after their careers are over. Justify one and condemn the other. Please, thats why all you freaking so called saints will get your do. There is this thing called Charma that will come back to bite you Mr Saint or Schultz. They are both wrong but rich people enjoy betting on which brother will hurt the other, thats a sport huh. Hunting helpless deer yeah thats a sport huh. Thats why I amd many other won’t join the lynch squad, because you all change the rules as you see fit.