Vernon Forrest 1971-2009

The last time I was in Atlanta I had the opportunity to eat at Gladys Knights’ Chicken and Waffles.While dining there I was approached by a man passing out literature that one of the local fighters,Vernon Forrest was promoting.It was a venture that involved helping children.Many fighters are self absorbed given to feeding their egos ,growing entourages,and buying gold chains.Forrest was one of the more thoughtful fighters, a fighter given to helping the youth in the Atlanta community and encouraging others to do the same.
Forrest was one of the best fighters of his era. Forrest beat one of the pound for pound great fighters ,"Sugar" Shane Mosley three times in his career.Once as a amateur and twice for the World Boxing Council welterweight championship.

The defeats of Mosley came when Mosley was considered the best fighter in the world.
Vernon Forrest was killed when assailants tried to carjack his Jaguar that had his girlfriend's son in the back seat.Forrest ever the fighter, gave chase to the muggers and was returning to his car when he was shot multiple times from a semi automatic machine gun.The tragedy is that a good man died from senseless random violence that knows no boundaries.
Rest In Peace,Vernon.