FORREST – A VIPER ON THE LOOSE
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist - Photo: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME (Click on picture for larger view)

(IB – December 1, 2007) – As part of the triple header championship card on Showtime which featured Nonito Donaire, Vernon Forrest, and Antonio Tarver successfully defending their respective titles via KOs in Mashantucket, Connecticut, it was Vernon “
The Viper” Forrest that made a HUGE statement that there is a VIPER on the loose.

Forrest improved his record to (40-2, 29 KOs) by stopping former World Champion Michele Piccirillo (48-4, 30 KOs) at 2:21 of the eleventh round. What made Vernon’s performance such a stand out is the way in which he dominated Piccirillo. You could make a case that it was a complete shut out for the entire eleven rounds, which consisted of three knock downs; 6th round, 9th round, and the finishing knock down in the 11th which very well may have even broken Piccirillo’s ankle by the way the right hand punch pummeled his body to the canvas.

Based on the performances of late by Forrest, it’s obvious that Boxing has a Viper on the loose and he deserves the biggest possible match that becomes available. After all, this champion has only been defeated by one fighter in his entire career (Ricardo Mayorga). For starters, since the last Mayorga victory was highly disputed and close, Forrest vs. Mayorga III would be a huge event. When Forrest was asked after the Piccirillo what would different in another Mayorga bout? He replied, “I am healthy now and the fight will be totally different because I can now utilize everything in my arsenal.”

From what I see in Vernon Forrest’s arsenal at this stage, based on him now appearing very healthy and free from injuries, he a major threat to any of the elite fighter in the 147lb-160lb weight classes, to include Mayweather, De La Hoya, Cotto, Winky Wright, Cory Spinks, and even the winner of the Taylor vs. Pavlik rematch.

I just hope this great Champion isn’t denied his opportunity to showcase his level of greatness. He has earned the spot amongst the very top and now it is just a matter of whether or not the other elite fighters are willing to risk being bitten by the VIPER. Let’s hope that 2008 continues the trend of the best fighting the best and the biggest names taking on the biggest names. If you do not include Forrest in the match ups, then the question will remain, did you really take on the best?

Again, the viper is on loose and should be coming to a PPV screen near you in the very near future.


You have just gone InsideBoxing.com

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

Home About Us-Boxing  Directories Boxing Schedule Columnists Feedback Inside Coverage Local Scene Links Welcome Search InsideBoxing Join eGroup Submit News/Articles Tell Friends Copyright Notice