By Dave Sholler
Former United States President Teddy Roosevelt once asserted that if you “speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far.” For most of his career, WBC Super Welterweight champion Vernon Forrest has adhered to Roosevelt’s moniker.
Today, Forrest continues to speak thoughtfully and with sophisticated eloquence, especially when referring to his resurgence in 2007. Finally able to train properly after years of dealing with a painful shoulder injury, Forrest called the recent year “gratifying,” adding that wins over Carlos Baldomir and Michele Piccirillo solidified his best year since 2002.
Viewed in the eyes of many as the “Comeback Fighter of the Year” in 2007, Forrest believes there is much more to accomplish in 2008. With renewed confidence in his patented right hand and a spring in his slippery step, “The Viper” is convinced that he will continue to shake things up this year. However, while he is eager to move forward with fights in the New Year, he can’t help but to look into his past for possible opponents.
Citing a long-standing desire to fight the Golden Boy, Forrest did not hesitate to name Oscar De La Hoya as his ideal next opponent. While many are hopeful that they will be chosen by the cash cow De La Hoya as his next opponent, “The Viper” argues that a clash between he and Oscar would feature an entertaining contrast in styles. Forrest added that since Oscar prefers to fight another marketable opponent, he should look no further than the Georgia native for his May contest.
“De La Hoya is looking to fight in May and I think he’d be the perfect fight for me,” Forrest said. “De La Hoya has always had a problem with slick fighters. He’s just had problems with mobile fighters. I pose a great challenge for him in terms of what I’m capable of doing. I am slightly bigger than he is and it would be his left hook vs. my right hand.”
Even though some would argue that Forrest lacks the drawing power to entice De La Hoya, it is hard to debate that Forrest could present problems for Oscar. For starters, Forrest has the ability to slip punches with ease and does not resist the urge to fire back with straight right hands. Moreover, given that De La Hoya has a love-hate relationship with his jab over the course of a bout, the opportunity for a well-conditioned Forrest to control the middle to late rounds is great. Thanks to a knack for pouncing on foes that switch to cruise control midway through a fight, Forrest would be a dangerous opponent for De La Hoya.
With that said, though, Forrest is cognizant of the fact that De La Hoya dissects future opponents largely based on their earning power. Still, while some would argue that Miguel Cotto, fresh off a victory over Shane Mosley, is a better opponent for Oscar, Forrest hopes that no one has forgotten what he has done in the ring. After all, he owns victories over “Sugar” Shane, too.
“It used to bother me greatly when I couldn’t get the marquee fighters,” Forrest said, adding that outside of Mosley and Ricardo Mayorga, the obstacles of landing big fights have always been present. “My whole career I’ve fought the risk fights. I’m now a marquee guy trying to fight other marquee fighters.”
To no one’s surprise, Forrest makes no bones about his desire to fight Mayorga for a third time if a bout with De La Hoya cannot be made. Often reserved in his commentary, the usually charitable Forrest chose not to speak so softly this time, verbally teeing off on Mayorga unlike ever before. Still miffed over the venom Mayorga spewed prior to their bouts in 2003, Forrest offered only one precise statement regarding “El Matador.”
“When I say this, I mean it in all sincerity,” Forrest said, speaking slowly to add effect. “When and if Mayorga and Forrest fight again, in the trilogy, I’m not trying to win the fight. I’m trying to end his career.
“No,” Forrest corrected himself. “I’m trying to end his life.”
When pressed to explain his rather bold statement, Forrest offered that no other person besides Mayorga would receive such harsh words. Yet in light of two emotional fights with the Nicaraguan, Forrest hinted that there was more at stake. As he spoke, it became clear though that it had little to do with the actual nuts and bolts of their last, hotly contested bout.
“He said some things that you shouldn’t say to other human beings,” Forrest said, choosing not to elaborate. “I shouldn’t and wouldn’t say that statement to other human beings, but I’ll say it to him.”
Although his motives for fights with De La Hoya and Mayorga are starkly different, Forrest considers either necessary in cementing what he hopes is a Hall of Fame career. While he cannot change the outcomes of the two Mayorga bouts or erase his battles with injuries, Forrest can work toward regaining the momentum he had in 2002 when he was named “Fighter of the Year.”
“I know that I can fight better than I have been fighting,” Forrest said confidently. “To me, this is all about winning championships. At the end of the day, I want to be considered one of the best. Some of my peers seem to be heading for the Hall of Fame and I’d like to go in with them.
“2008 is going to be even bigger than 2007 for me.”
Dave Sholler serves as a Boxing/MMA analyst for ESPN and Fox Radio affiliates around the country. His column appears weekly on BoxingScene.com. Contact Sholler at shollerholla4@hotmail.com.
