Vernon Forrest Shot Dead

Vernon Forrest, former boxing champion was shot and killed during an apparent robbery in Atlanta, police said Sunday.

Sgt. Lisa Keyes, Atlanta Police said in an e-mail Sunday that Forrest may have been robbed and was shot "multiple times in the back" Saturday night in Atlanta. Keyes said there are no suspects.

"Vernon was one of the few decent people in boxing," promoter Gary Shaw said Sunday.
"I mean really decent. He cared about mentally challenged adults. He cared about kids. I just can't believe it."

An investigator Mark Guilbeau with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office, said an autopsy is planned for Sunday. Forrest, who hailed form Augusta, Ga., who lived in Atlanta and once a member of the 1992 Olympic team. He was also a former WBC super welterweight champion.

Ross Greenburg, HBO Sports president told The Associated Press. "He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing and he will be missed by the entire boxing community and all of his friends at HBO,"

It was Greenburg helped put on eight of Forrest's fights. "It is time for the needless loss of life to end," Greenburg said. "Maybe Vernon's lasting legacy will be for Americans everywhere to rise up and end this kind of senseless violence."

Forrest worked greatest work was to provide housing for the mentally challenged through his involvement in the Destiny's Child group home. It can be recalled that Forrest took two wins over Sugar Shane Mosley in 2002. On Sept. 13, 2008, Forrest reclaimed his WBC 154-pound title by beating Sergio Mora. Forrest's last fight was the win over Mora. He suffered a rib injury while training for an April fight against Jason LeHoullier. That scheduled fight was canceled, and Forrest had to vacate his title.

There were also tentative plans for a title fight against Sergio Martinez, perhaps in October, according to Shaw. Plans for an August fight against Martinez were pushed back by Forrest's rib injury.
Forrest, who had a 41-3 career record with 29 knockouts, is the third prominent boxer to die this month. What do you think is the reason why they killed Forrest?

Another former two-time champion Arturo Gatti, who retired in 2007, was found dead July 11 at a Brazilian resort. Gatti's wife, Amanda Rodrigues, is being held as the prime suspect.
Furthermore, also former champion, Alexis Arguello, was found dead on July 1 at his home in Managua, Nicaragua. He was elected mayor of Nicaragua's capital last year. Do you think his death still related with boxing?

Watch Sergio Mora vs Vernon Forrest