Boxing Report: Loss Forces Forrest Into King's Lair
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 2, 2003
Atlanta's premier fighters, Vernon Forrest and Evander Holyfield, face different career hurdles, but they find themselves in the same boat. It's called getting back in line.
Forrest, who lost his WBC welterweight title last week to Ricardo Mayorga in unflattering fashion --- a bruising third-round knockout --- has an obstacle in his resurgence: Don King.
Forrest clawed his way to top the hard way, remaining independent. Now, however, he cannot avoid King.
There's a rematch clause with Mayorga, a King fighter. But the Nicaraguan has called out IBF champ Michelle Piccirillo, who is also promoted by the "His Hairness."
Piccirillo fights No. 1-ranked Corey Spinks next month in Italy. Guess who is Spinks' promoter? None other than King.
Even if Forrest gets a rematch with Mayorga, by then he may no longer be champ. One thing is for certain: Forrest cannot get around having to deal with King. Again.
Forrest has long been wooed by King but said no. He may not be in position to do so again. Normally when King is holding all the cards, in order to get a title shot against one of his fighters, the challenger --- if he wins --- must give the promoter options to stage his next several bouts. Looking to return
Holyfield, who underwent surgery for the rotator cuff injured during his loss to Chris Byrd, expects to return this summer.
"Absolutely, if everything continues to go well," adviser Jim Thomas said. "We're trying to arrange a rematch with Byrd."
But Holyfield has fallen in the rankings: No. 5 WBA and No. 12 IBF. Thomas has protested to both bodies. Heavyweight watch
Atlanta's Cedric Boswell (21-0, 19 KOs) is set to fight on ESPN on Feb. 28 in Las Vegas. Finding a willing foe is a different matter.
"We thought we had a deal with Larry Donald, but he pulled out," Boswell said. "Ray Mercer said he needed a couple of tune-ups first. But I'm willing to go it the hard way --- fight my way to a mandatory. As long as I stay busy, I'm happy."
