Vernon Forrest Biofile - RIP

Vernon Forrest Biofile, April 14th 2008 Childhood Heroes: “Ray Robinson. Marvin Hagler. Evander Holyfield. Ray Leonard – actually he wanted to do a manager deal with me. But the deal just didn’t work out. When I turned pro I tried to get in contact with his manager Mike Trainer because I wanted him to handle my career like Ray Leonard’s. But I never could get in contact with him.” Hobbies/Interests: “Like the every day guy, I like to go to ballgames, to football games. I’m a sports fanatic.” Nicknames: “Shorty, Lil Tyson, The Viper.” Early Boxing Memory: “I could remember my first fight when I was nine, I was scared to death . I was petrified. This was something new. I went out and knocked the guy down and was winning the fight. I won like 25 in a row before I lost my first amateur fight. And I wanted to quit. But I continued to fight and had I listened to myself and quit I would have never become the person that I am today.” First Job: “Making milkshakes at WhataBurger in Augusta, GA (age 10).” Pre-Fight Feeling: “I’m replaying the gameplan in my head. Relaxed. More numb than anything. (Look at opponent upon entering the ring?) No. Because I know I’m getting ready to do some bodily harm to this person. It’s psychologically best for me not to look at him.” Funny Boxing Memory: “Going back to amateur days. Traveling by van to Washington DC, me, Albert and Ricky Jones, Pee Wee Harris and Kevin Wright. We were just joking the whole time. They were saying some of the funniest stuff in the world. There was so many jokes that was cracked in that 12 hours. We laughed the whole trip. Usually after a trip four or five hours, you’re tired. But those guys were cracking on and on .” Greatest Sports Moment: “When I made the Olympic team (decision win over Stevie Johnston in 1992). That was something I had set out to do 13 years earlier. I had been dreaming about it, planning it, wishing for it – I’d been working toward it since I was eight years old. That night when they gave me the decision – raised my hand – it was like a big weight came off. The proudest moment of my life. I’m more of a perfectionist. That was the first moment in my career when I was really happy with what I did. It’s not often that I impress myself. I had a lot of ups and downs. I remember as a kid, it was over and over: making the Olympic team. What would it be like? 1992 Olympian, Vernon Forrest. For 13 years…13 years…back then I was more of a boxing fanatic, (I) ate, slept and drank boxing 24 hours a day. It came true. It really came true. Proudest moment of my career.” Most Painful Moment: “Olympics. Losing first match (Peter Richardson of U.K.). I knew I was gonna win the gold medal. I got food poisoning over there so I wasn’t able to fight at my potential. I still thought I won the fight. Knocked him down in the third round and gave him two eight counts. I had beaten him three months before, easy, at the world championships in Australia. Easy.” People Qualities Most Admired: “I admire athletes. But I most admire business people. I’ve been successful with my physical abilities. And I just admire people who use their brains, so it’s business people that I admire.” Source: http://www.*************.com/biofiles/vernon-forrest/ RIP Champ