Vernon Forrest

Vernon Forrest (January 12, 1971 – July 25, 2009), nicknamed "The Viper", was an American professional boxer who held world titles at welterweight and light middleweight. In his career, he achieved three victories over Shane Mosley (once as an amateur and twice as a professional) and was upset twice by Ricardo Mayorga.

In 2009, Forrest was murdered after he was robbed at a gas station in the Mechanicsville neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia.

Early years and amateur career

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Forrest began boxing at the age of 9. After compiling an impressive 225-16 record as an amateur, he became the 1992 US junior welterweight champion, and won silver at the 1991 World Amateur Boxing Championships, losing in the finals to Kostya Tszyu. Forrest was the first in his family to graduate from high school receiving his diploma from Marquette Senior High School in Marquette, Michigan. Staying in Marquette, Forrest was on scholarship to Northern Michigan University where he majored in business administration through the U.S. Olympic Education Center. Forrest continued to train with the US National Team under head coach Al Mitchell.