Since hearing of the tragedy of Vernon Forrest’s untimely death I have been pretty much speechless. To lose the former Welter & Super weight Champ was bad enough. Then to hear how everything transpired in the moments leading up to his death really set me back. Here we are again, faced with another tragic death of a Champion, first Arguello then Gatti and now Vernon.
There are times in everyone’s life that moments seem surreal, as if this all couldn’t really be happening. Sadly, this is not a bad dream, it’s a harsh reality of the times in which we live.
From his family to Al Haymon to Gary Shaw, Kelly Swanson and everyone who Vernon has touched with his generosity, our thoughts and prayers go out to each and everyone of you.
STATEMENT FROM ALAN HAYMON
ON VERNON FORREST
“I am deeply, deeply saddened by this senseless horrible tragedy and my heart goes out to his mother and family. Vernon was a great fighter but much more importantly, he was a very special person outside the ring. His charitable efforts are all well-known and documented but that was only the tip of the iceberg. Vernon was a genuinely kind-hearted, caring and supremely principled and loyal human being. I came to know him and love him as a great friend far beyond the realm of boxing. He was the first fighter I became involved with as an advisor and he and I had a special bond from the very beginning. Vernon was a great human being and the world was a better place with him in it. I will always treasure the time we spent together and I will always love him and miss him. May God bless and keep him.”
Alan Haymon
STATEMENT FROM KELLY SWANSON
ON VERNON FORREST
WASHINGTON, DC – Sunday, July 26 – I am grief stricken to learn of the tragic death of Vernon Forrest. Not only was he my client, he was my friend. He gave me a wonderful opportunity when he asked me to help him tell his story both in and out of the ring beginning in 2001. The journey was terrific as not only was he a great champion, but he was a caring humanitarian who always stood up for what he believed to be the fairness of life.
Most importantly his work outside of the ring, particularly with his established foundation Destiny’s Child, which provided group housing for mentally challenged young adults in the Atlanta area, was the shining light of his life. Seeing him with the kids was the essence of his being and showed me another side of his well-rounded and deeply passionate character. It was my pleasure to help tell his story.
These accomplishments earned him not only the Boxing Writers Association of America 2002 Fighter of the Year award, but also their 2003 Good Guy award, a first ever feat for an active fighter in the history of the organization.
Vernon was a feisty one and always, always, spoke his mind. It was this intense passion for truth and justice that fueled his presence, gave him character and instilled in him a mighty resolve to the end. And yet, he was such a gentleman too, always giving back to those less fortunate and appreciating what others did for him. He would go out of his way to call and thank me profusely for the “coverage” he received. He was a great son and brother to his mother and siblings and a wonderful father to his young son Vernon Jr.
The tragedy of his untimely death is extremely hurtful as boxing has lost another great champion and a long-standing member of our sport’s community. I will miss him dearly and he will forever hold a very special place in my heart. With sympathy to his family, friends and the entire boxing community, I pray for comfort for all of us during this terrible time.
Kelly Swanson
Further Information regarding funeral/memorial arrangements will be forthcoming.
STATEMENT FROM KELLY SWANSON
ON GARY SHAW
ATLANTA, GA (July 26, 2009) — Former two-division world champion VERNON FORREST was shot and killed last night in Northwest Atlanta.
“This is a tragedy beyond belief,” said Gary Shaw, who had promoted Forrest’s recent fights. “The life of a decent caring man and a loving father has ended; a victim of senseless violence. Speaking on behalf of myself and Al Haymon, we are in a state of shock. We thank the media in advance for respecting our privacy and will have no further comment until we have the complete story.”
SERGIO MARTINEZ MOURNS THE LOSS OF VERNON FORREST
(July 27, 2009) WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez was hit extremely hard by the news that the man who preceded him as champion, Vernon Forrest, had passed away over the weekend.
The following is his statement, paying final respects to the great champion:
“Vernon Forrest was a great fighter. I always dreamed of fighting Vernon, because it has always been my goal to prove myself against the very best. This tragic news puts both my life and boxing career in perspective. Vernon and I both shared a love for children, and helping those who had become disadvantaged. This is why I did not just look up to him as a boxer, but as a human being. My thoughts are prayers are with his family, and I promise to dedicate my next fight to the memory of Vernon Forrest.” – Sergio Martinez.”
WORLD MOURNING; VERNON FORREST PASSED AWAY.
LUTO MUNDIAL POR VERNON FORREST
With profound sorrow, the World Boxing Council and its President, Jose Sulaiman, are declaring today a day of world mourning due to the tragic passing away of their dear and loyal friend, many times world champion, and WBC Peace and Concord Ambassador, Vernon Forrest, who loyally loved the green and gold belt, and was an active financial sponsor against the illness of mental handicap as well as he sponsored other associations that benefit those in need…..
A true exemplary man from the United States.
Con profundo pesar el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo y su Presidente José Sulaimán, declaran el día de hoy como luto mundial, por el trágico fallecimiento de su querido, leal amigo, varias veces campeón mundial y CMB Embajador mundial por la Paz y la Concordia, Vernon Forrest, quien era un leal enamorado de su cinto verde y oro y un activo patrocinador económico contra la enfermedad de retraso mental y otras asociaciones en beneficio de los más necesitados……. Un verdadero hombre ejemplar del pueblo norteamericano.
Vernon was an Olympic fighter in Barcelona, WBC Continental Americas champion, and WBC – NABF champion. After personally asking the WBC President for a title shot, he amazed the world when he won the WBC Welterweight world title by defeating the then champion, Shane Mosley, to later amaze everybody again when he defeated Mosley in the rematch. Forrest also won the WBC Superwelterweight world title, which he had to leave due to an injury, and he was preparing to recover and challenge for the WBC world title once again when he was murdered.
Vernon fue olímpico USA en Barcelona, campeón CMB del continente de América, y lo mismo del CMB campeonato de la NABF. Tras solicitar al presidente del CMB personalmente su oportunidad titular, sorprendió al mundo al ganar el título mundial Welter CMB, al entonces campeón Shane Mosley, para volver a sorprender nuevamente al derrotar a Mosley en la revancha. Forrest ganó también el titulo mundial CMB Superwelter, el que tuvo que dejar por lesión, y se preparaba para recuperarse y disputar el título mundial CMB nuevamente cuando fue asesinado.
El CMB envía sus más profundas condolencias a su familia, sus amigos entre los que destacaban Al Haymon y su eterno manager Charles Watson y a todos los aficionados de los Estados Unidos de América y del mundo.
The WBC sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends, among whom some of them stand out: Al Haymon, his eternal manager, Charles Watson, and all the fans of the U.S.A. and the whole world.
Es verdaderamente lamentable las desgracias para el boxeo de éste año 2009 cuando sólo recientemente los campeones mundiales CMB también, Alexis Argüello, de Nicaragua y Arturo Gatti, Canadá, pasaron por tragedias que acabaron con sus vidas.
It is truly regrettable that so many tragedies have struck boxing in this current 2009, as just recently, the also WBC world champions, Alexis Arguello, from Nicaragua, and Arturo Gatti, from Canada, went through tragedies that ended their lives.
Their bodies were said goodbye to by the WBC, by placing a world champion green and gold belt on their coffins, which was exactly the same thing done recently when Mexican fighter Raul “Raton” Macias, the top idol of Mexican people, passed away.
Sus cuerpos fueron despedidos por el CMB colocando un cinto verde y oro de campeón mundial sobre su féretro, lo mismo hecho recientemente con el mexicano Raúl “Ratón” Macías máximo ídolo del pueblo.
8 former world champions, heroes of their countries and boxing, have passed away in this tragic 2009, such as: Ingemar Johanson, from Sweden, who won the title by defeating immortal Floyd Patterson.
8 ex-campeones mundiales héroes de su pueblo y del boxeo, han pasado a mejor vida en este trágico 2009, como lo son:
Ingemar Johanson, de Suecia, titulándose ante el inmortal Floyd Patterson.
Saensak Muangsurin, from Thailand, who was buried after receiving the honors of his Majesty, the King of Thailand.
Sansaek Muangsurin, Tailandia, siendo sepultado con los honores de su Majestad el Rey de Tailandia.
Johnny Caldwell, from Ireland, one of the greatest Bantamweight fighters in his time. Jose “Chegui” Torres, a great friend of ours, silver medal in 1954, and Lightheavyweight world champion.
Johnny Caldwell, Irlanda; uno de los grandes pesos Gallo de su tiempo.
José “Chegüi” Torres, gran amigo nuestro, medalla de plata en 1954 y campeón mundial Semi-completo.
Alfredo Marcano, from Venezuela, Superfeatherweight world champion, and idol in his country.
Giovanni Parisi, from Italy, Lightweight world champion and the idol of Italian promoter, Salvatore Cherchi.
Alfredo Marcano, Venezuela, campeón mundial de peso Superpluma e ídolo Venezolano.
Giovanni Parisi, Italia, idolatrado del promotor Salvatore Cherchi y campeón de peso Ligero.
Jisselle Salandy, from Trinidad and Tobago, WBC Female Superwelterweight world champion and an example to the world.
Jisselle Salandy, Trinidad y Tobago, campeona mundial CMB Superwelter y ejemplo del mundo.
The two fighters that we mentioned last, also passed away in a tragic way. May they rest in peace and May God comfort their families and all the people who loved them.
Los dos últimos también fallecidos en forma trágica. Que descansen en eterna paz y que Dios consuele a sus familias y a todos los que los quisimos.
Sam Peter Back In The Mix
Former Heavyweight Champ Sam Peter showed up in Mexico weighing in at 243 pounds. He hasn’t been that low in 4 years. Not so coincidentally he put a serious beat down on Marcus McGee dropping him 3 times before rendering his unconscious in round 3.
Oh sure, naysayers will bark this is what Peter should have done with a guy like McGee and it really doesn’t prove a thing.To that I say Horse Hockey!
Peter now becomes the second heavyweight contender to go from an overweight mess to a legitimate challenger, Eddie Chambers being the first to listen to the fat jokes and do something about it, and now Peter.
With his new promoter in Top Rank and his rediscovered 243 pound physique, don’t be surprised to see Sam Peter make another serious run at the title of “Baddest Man On The Planet”.
