It was a crazy fight. You knew from the get-go that Forrest was in for a tough night when he came out firing but hit mostly air and leather. For me the controversy began in the third round when Forrest actually landed a hard, clean uppercut but was headlocked by a stunned Quartey. Then as the ref ordered a break, Quartey continued to hold for several more seconds. To me this should be a point right away because a) it could have prevented a knockdown and b) it is in direct violation of the ref's orders, just like continuing to foul after a warning. Forrest continued to struggle through the middle rounds and to my surprise seemed unable to throw his right hand which is of course his power hand and the side that has not been operated on. To his credit Forrest seemed to adapt from his early over-aggressive style and start to use the ring space however he appeared to have no power with either hand and his balance and timing made him look like a shell of a fighter. Not to mention his confidence was obviously shaken by his early failure to set the tone. He ate tough jabs throughout the fight and appeared stunned by a Quartey power show in almost every round. In the 9th the controversy continued when the ref who appeared at odds with Forrest throughout the fight deducted a point for an accidental blow that he was not even in position to see. At that point it seemed the fight was over since going into the 9th it appeared Forrest would need both of the final rounds to have any chance on the scorecards.
Of course when buffer announced 95-94, 95-94, and 96-93 it appeared that the low blow had cost Forrest a majority draw but to the surprise of all watching Buffer called "...the winner by unanimous decision, VERNON THE VIPER FORREST!"
If there is a rematch I would bet all my money and possessions on Quartey. Vernon is merely a shell of his former self and I would venture to say that he has a serious injury to his right arm as well. Never a dull moment in boxing...
It was a crazy fight. You knew from the get-go that Forrest was in for a tough night when he came out firing but hit mostly air and leather. For me the controversy began in the third round when Forrest actually landed a hard, clean uppercut but was headlocked by a stunned Quartey. Then as the ref ordered a break, Quartey continued to hold for several more seconds. To me this should be a point right away because a) it could have prevented a knockdown and b) it is in direct violation of the ref's orders, just like continuing to foul after a warning. Forrest continued to struggle through the middle rounds and to my surprise seemed unable to throw his right hand which is of course his power hand and the side that has not been operated on. To his credit Forrest seemed to adapt from his early over-aggressive style and start to use the ring space however he appeared to have no power with either hand and his balance and timing made him look like a shell of a fighter. Not to mention his confidence was obviously shaken by his early failure to set the tone. He ate tough jabs throughout the fight and appeared stunned by a Quartey power show in almost every round. In the 9th the controversy continued when the ref who appeared at odds with Forrest throughout the fight deducted a point for an accidental blow that he was not even in position to see. At that point it seemed the fight was over since going into the 9th it appeared Forrest would need both of the final rounds to have any chance on the scorecards.
Of course when buffer announced 95-94, 95-94, and 96-93 it appeared that the low blow had cost Forrest a majority draw but to the surprise of all watching Buffer called "...the winner by unanimous decision, VERNON THE VIPER FORREST!"
If there is a rematch I would bet all my money and possessions on Quartey. Vernon is merely a shell of his former self and I would venture to say that he has a serious injury to his right arm as well. Never a dull moment in boxing...