It has been a little more than a year since boxing champion Vernon Forrest was killed in southwest Atlanta.
No trial date has been set yet for three men accused in the robbery/slaying. Prosecutors plan to try the alleged triggerman separately in a death penalty case.
Today — had Forrest never stopped at a service station that July 25 night, had a thief not jumped him, had he not pulled his own gun and chased the man only to be gunned down by an accomplice — the fighter may well be contemplating the end of a fine career.
Forrest and Charles Watson — his manager, strength trainer and friend — regularly discussed the future during their golf outings. Watson said his guy, whose record was 41-3, had three more fights in him. First, he wanted to face WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. Then he’d follow up with top contender Kelly Pavlik and a farewell fight against fellow Augusta native Paul Williams. With Forrest nearing 40, “that was it; he was going to hang it up,” Watson said.
“He had a lot he wanted to do in life.”
Forrest was best known for his two victories over Shane Mosley in 2002 (after which he was named Ring Magazine’s Fighter of the Year) as well as for his work around Atlanta. He had begun Destiny’s Child, a group home for mentally challenged children and young adults.
Forrest’s killing “was such a tragedy that it set everyone back,” Watson said. “It has been tough to get over, but we’re trying to look at some ways to do some of the things he’d want us to do.”
Tournament Monday
There is another day of golf planned Monday at Chateau Elan in Braselton, this time with the memory of the three-time WBC champion in attendance.
The first Vernon Forrest Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled to tee off at 9:30 a.m., with proceeds targeted for two youth boxing programs as well as a fund for the fighter’s family.
For information, call 770-641-1054 or e-mail greg@sportsfanproperties.com. The entry fee is $100.
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