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Later tonight, New York's Madison Square Garden will be the stage for two very important bouts for the junior middleweight division. The first bout will feature two of the most talented young fighters at the weight, and the main event is a battle between two established stars looking for one big win to regain lost status and the ability to demand big paydays.
The main event pits two former weterweight champions, both coming off long layoffs. They appear to be in the best shape of their respective careers for what many feel is going to be the last big fight for the loser of the bout.
Ike "Bazooka" Quartey (37-2-1, 31 KOs) will go head on with Vernon "The Viper" Forrest (37-2, 28 KOs). The winner will certainly be recognized as one of the top tier fighters at 154 pounds. Quartey returned last year after a 5-year break from boxing, Forrest was out for 2-years due to numerous injuries that required surgery. The fact that both of them are in their mid-thirties, a loss will make it quite difficult to pick up the pieces to make another run at the top. Certainly the size advantage belongs to Forrest, but Quartey holds the experience factor. I would not focus too much on the size advantage because Ricardo Mayorga, the only man to beat Forrest, twice, is similiar in size to Quartey. Actually, Quartey holds a two-inch reach advantage on Mayorga, which means his famous jab can hit the target. [details]
The main event pits two former weterweight champions, both coming off long layoffs. They appear to be in the best shape of their respective careers for what many feel is going to be the last big fight for the loser of the bout.
Ike "Bazooka" Quartey (37-2-1, 31 KOs) will go head on with Vernon "The Viper" Forrest (37-2, 28 KOs). The winner will certainly be recognized as one of the top tier fighters at 154 pounds. Quartey returned last year after a 5-year break from boxing, Forrest was out for 2-years due to numerous injuries that required surgery. The fact that both of them are in their mid-thirties, a loss will make it quite difficult to pick up the pieces to make another run at the top. Certainly the size advantage belongs to Forrest, but Quartey holds the experience factor. I would not focus too much on the size advantage because Ricardo Mayorga, the only man to beat Forrest, twice, is similiar in size to Quartey. Actually, Quartey holds a two-inch reach advantage on Mayorga, which means his famous jab can hit the target. [details]