By Rick Reeno
 
The WBC is pushing for the fight between Vernon Forrest and Sergio Martinez to take place. Forrest, the junior middleweight champion, is recovering from a rib injury that was suffered in training, but still owes a mandatory title defense against Martinez, the interim-champion.

Martinez has been waiting for a fight with Forrest since 2007. Pursuant to an agreement reached by both sides on March 11, and approved by the WBC, Forrest vs. Martinez has to take place no later than August 2009, Forrest gets permission to take a ten round tuneup no later than May 24 2009 and Martinez is allowed one tuneup as well, which he took against Kermit Cintron.
 
From what BoxingScene.com has learned, the WBC is demanding that Forrest stick to the March agreement or he has to vacate his title [also part of the March agreement]. If Forrest vacates, Martinez will become the full champion.

Forrest's rib injury derailed a tuneup that was scheduled on May 1. He would like to take a tuneup before fighting Martinez. It doesn't appear that the sanctioning body is going to allow for that to happen. The fight has been overdue like nothing that I've ever seen. I feel the sanctioning body, and not Forrest, is really at fault for allowing this to drag on for so long. It's refreshing to see them finally lay the law down.