Boxing Champion Vernon "The Viper" Forrest Dead at Age 38

Boxing Champion Vernon "The Viper" Forrest has died at the age of 38, from an attempted carjacking. It is being reported that Forrest was shot seven or eight times as he attempted to stop carjackers from stealing his Jaguar, which had his girlfriend's son in the backseat. Forrest had stopped to put air in the tire of his Jaguar when he was robbed at gunpoint. Forrest, who was also armed, pursued, but another assailant was hiding and ambushed him.

Forrest was a world champion in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions. At the beginning of his career, Forrest was a member of the 1992 US Olympic team. Forrest was a gold medal favorite but was beaten in the first round because of food poisoning, that occurred a day before the fight.

Forrest won his first major title against Raul Frank in 2001, beating him by unanimous decision and winning the IBF welterweight title. But Forrest is best known for his two wins over Shane Mosley. At the time, Mosley was undefeated and the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. There were no challenges for Mosley. Forrest had beaten Mosley in the amateurs and Mosley wanted revenge. They would fight for the first time in 2002. Forrest dropped Mosley for the first two times in his career in the second round and dominated him throughout the bout, winning a unanimous decision. There was a rematch set six months later, but it was more of the same, as Mosley fought better, but still lost another unanimous decision.

Forrest would suffer the first two losses of his career against Ricardo Mayorga. Mayorga, who is known for his wild and crazy style, caught Forrest in the third round of their fight, and knocked him down. The referee looking into Forrest's eyes stopped the fight, saying he was in no condition to continue. Mayorga and Forrest had an immediate rematch and Forrest lost the second fight by majority decision. Forrest would win the WBC light middleweight title against Michele Piccirillo before losing it to Sergio Mora by majority decision.

Forrest's last fight was on September 13, 2008, when he defeated then-undefeated Sergio Mora in the rematch by unanimous decision to win the WBC light middleweight belt. Forrest suffered a rib injury in training and had to vacate his title. There were talks of having a third fight with Mora for the title in October, but nothing was official. Forrest was still an active boxer when he died. Forrest finished with a record of 41 wins, 3 losses, with 29 knockouts.

Away from the boxing ring, Forrest always helped those in need. Forrest worked with kids, and brought underprivileged and mentally challenged people to his fights. Forrest helped to create and establish Destiny's Child, Inc.; (D.C.I.). It was a group home that provided housing and assistance to mentally challenged adults and provided them 24-hour supervision by trained mental health professionals. Forrest was a very caring individual.

Forrest's death is not the fight one that shook up the boxing community. After Forrest's death, there have now been three boxing deaths this month. First, Alexis Arguello died from a suicide. Then, Arturo Gatti died two weeks ago from strangulation, and it is not apparent if it was a homicide or a suicide yet. Gatti's wife is the prime suspect, but she pleads her innocence.

Forrest will be missed, as he was a great boxing champion, in and out of the ring.