By Mark Vester

In a follow-up to last week's story, lightweight prospect Vernon Paris (18-0, 12KOs) is planning to leave his hometown of Detroit and relocate to Florida to stay away from trouble and to safely continue his rise in the boxing ranks.

On May 4, Paris was stabbed numerous times by neighbors after an altercation near his home. The trouble began when Paris complained to a neighbor about loud noise. A male individual physically confronted Paris after some words were exchanged. Paris knocked the unamed attacker out, but an unamed female would attack Paris from behind with a knife and stabbed him repeatedly.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Paris is recovering well from a punctured lung and kidney, both suffered during the attack. It's not the first time that Paris has been a target in Detroit. In 2006, Paris was shot three-times by a group of young men.

"I feel good, and I'm hoping to start serious training again in July," said Paris. "I'm healing up really good. Coming down here is better for me; I've got too many haters, too many people against me in Detroit. I feel my life is threatened all the time there."

"There are a lot of things I got to do with my life. I want to pursue my career. I don't think I want to go back (to Detroit). Someone there may try to do me some bodily harm. I've got to protect my family."

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com