THE HOMEGOING CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF VERNON FORREST
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist

Atlanta, GA – (IB) – August 03, 2009 – Over 1500 family members and friends gathered at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia for the home going celebration of the life of 4-time World Boxing Champion Vernon Forrest (49-3, 29 KOs).

It was a very beautiful service with the Eulogy being provided by Bishop Eddie Long, the Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

I was very proud to see how the boxing community came in support of Vernon’s life.  Kerry Davis, Sr. Vice President of Sports Programming, for HBO, spoke on behalf of the boxing community during the ‘Reflection’ part of the program.  Kerry stated, he still recalled when he and the HBO family signed Vernon to a multi-fight exclusive. “This is something that at the time was only done for ELITE fighters and Vernon had become an ELITE fighter.”  Kerry went on to say, “When HBO asked Vernon how he wanted to be introduced to the world as part of the multi-fight contract?, Vernon wanted to utilize this platform to talk about the work that he was doing in support of Destiny’s Child, the group home put in place to support mentally challenged youth and adults.”  “He will surely be missed by many.”  That says it all about Vernon Forrest.  He was always focused on how he could uplift others instead of just what’s in it for Vernon.

In addition to Kerry Davis, boxing notables such as; Evander Holyfield, Mark Breland, Ronnie Shields, Promoter – Gary Shaw, Cedric Boswell, Antonio Tarver, Andre Berto, Nate Campbell, Chris Byrd, Buddy McGirt, Davarryl Williamson, Dominick Guinn, Clarence ‘Bones’ Adams, Publicist – Kelly Swanson, as well as boxing advisor Al Haymon to name a few.

Vernon’s brother, Alfonzo Forrest gave a very heart moving reflection when he stated, "I believe in God and the justice system. We want justice fulfilled to the fullest within the law.”  This is in response to how Vernon  was gunned down on the streets of Atlanta on July 25th and at the time of this writing, there have been no arrest(s) made for this senseless act of violence that took the life of a great man in Vernon Forrest.

Charles Watson, Forrest’s manager said it best, “Vernon’s death will be not be in vain if those who attended here today, come away with wanting to go do something to make a difference in their community.”

Vernon “The Viper” Forrest – First Round 02/12/1971 – Final Round 07/25/2009

Rest in Peace my friend and I will miss you dearly.

You have just gone InsideBoxing.com

Ron Brashear can be contacted at brashear@insideboxing.com, ron@youthofhonor.org