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By Scott Shaffer
28/07/2007
Viper back in the mix for super fights with strong win
Vernon Forrest W12 Carlos Baldomir... In Tacoma Washington, Vernon Forrest put on an entertaining performance, his best in a few years, and defeated Carlos Baldomir by unanimous decision in a battle of former world welterweight champions. Although shoulder surgeries have rendered Forrest less athletic than he was in his prime, he put on a marvelous display of accurate punching and strategic boxing without doing any running or boring the crowd. Forrest basically won eleven rounds en route to an official 118-109 (twice) and 116-111 decision. Forrest was hurt by the tenacious Baldomir in the ninth, but the crafty veteran quicky responded with a deliberate low blow. The foul cost Forrest a point, but was well worth it, as it bought Forrest some recovery time. The win gives Forrest the WBC 154-pound belt, which is more of a testament to Al Haymon's managing skills than to the legitimacy of the title. After all, this was the same belt that the WBC denied to Fernando Vargas in order to let Ricardo Mayorga fight for it, then after Oscar De La Hoya kept it inactive for nearly a year, another Haymon client named Floyd Mayweather relinquished it, and Forrest was nicely positioned to scoop it up against Baldomir, who was coming off a loss to Mayweather. Still, it was a great win for Forrest, and it means fans will get to see more of one of the sport's classiest champions. Baldomir, who does not belong at 154 pounds, indicated he would likely retire. source: hbo boxing after dark
