GL: It's been a minute since we've had you on Boxingtalk, what's the latest and greatest with Vernon Forrest and when can we expect you back in the ring? "Everything has been really good. Right now it's looking like I'm going to get back in there around mid-May. I'd say it's safe to say that's a good target time frame for me."

GL: Do you have any idea who your target opponent is?

Vernon Forrest: "There's a couple of names being kicked around but nothing is etched in stone yet, so until we get the name I'm not going to talk about who they are. I'm just going to be working and hopefully in the next week or so the big boss calls me to let me know what's going on."

GL: If you would have known that you wouldn't fight until May 07 following your August victory over Ike Quartey, would have passed on the Winky Wright fight?

VF: "The Winky Wright fight was never an option for me, it was never offered to me. I know it's been rumored, but sometimes you need to hear it from the horses mouth. That was never an option.'

GL: Is your body at 100% right now?

VF: "I hurt my hand a while back and it set me back a little bit. That's the reason I haven't been back in the ring yet. I'm feeling good right now and I can't wait to get back in there."

GL: IBF junior middleweight champion Cory Spinks is always looking for a marquee fight. He's already expressed interest in fighting you, is that a fight that interests you?

VF: "Spinks is not on my radar and he's never been on my radar so I don't know why people keep bringing his name up."

GL: They keep bringing his name up because he's a champion Vernon.

VF: "Well, there's a few champions out there and he's one of many. He's not on my radar though."

GL: Is there any chance of you moving back down to 147?

VF: "I wish I could because there seems to be a lot of action out there right now, but there's no way I'd make the weight. I'm feeling really comfortable at 154."

GL: Do you planning on fighting twice this year and what are your goals for this year?

VF: "I just plan on fighting. Whether it's one fight, two fights or three fights I want to get back in the ring."

GL: The biggest fight in boxing is happening at 154 between De La Hoya and Mayweather. Is it safe to assume that the winner of that fight is who you'd like to fight the most?

VF: "Well, I'm the mandatory. When you speak on potential fights I'm in the boxing business, not the fight game. Some guys are in the fight game, not me. I'm in the boxing business. A lot of young cats don't understand and that's why they're in the fight game. I got out of the fight game years ago. I'm making fights that make business sense, I'm not just fighting to be fighting."

GL: Even though you're the mandatory, do you think the De La Hoya-Mayweather winner will want to fight you?

VF: "That's a question for them to answer after they fight, but they'll either have to shit or get off the pot."

M

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