Connect with us

Articles of 2007

The Viper Is Back, Forrest Batters Baldomir

Published

on

The scorecards were lopsided in favor of Vernon Forrest, but anyone in attendance at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday evening, or watching on HBO, got their money's worth. The cards said shutout, but didn't tell the tale. Forrest looked sharp, far more energized than some other elders we've seen in action lately.

His jab was acceptable, his head and foot movement were above average, and he was ripping lefts that would've put most men on the floor. His stock rose immensely with the win.

The judges saw it 118-109, 118-109, and 116-111 for Forrest, who picked up the WBC junior middleweight crown for his trouble.

Forrest and Baldy both weighed in at 150, and the Viper gained six pounds, while Carlos gained eight pounds from the weigh in. Forrest enjoyed a six inch height advantage on this occasion.

Forrest, the 36-year-old from Georgia, rises to 39-2-1 with the win. Baldomir, the 36-year-old from Argentina, now stands at  43-11-1.

Forrest had a 286 to 157 edge in punches landed. Both men threw at the same rate, with Forrest throwing 663, and Baldy 669 on the night.

The winner had great energy for the 11th round, proving himself to be in superior shape. The two men hugged to begin the 12th round. Forrest landed three vicious lefts in the span of the last round, and Baldy barely blinked. The crowd acted appreciative at the effort of the two men.

Forrest could have coasted in the tenth, but he was still ripping shots, giving the crowd a show. Imagine that, a fighter being a fighter, giving the people who paid good money a show! Shocking! He stubbornly still tried to solve Baldy's granite chin.

Forrest had a point deducted for a low hit to Baldy's leg in the ninth round, but Carlos had yanked his head down to help cause the infraction. The loser did land a sharp right that stunned Forrest but he quickly cleared his head. He ran some to waste time and Baldomir waved at him to engage.

Forrest committed to the body in the seventh, showing his wisdom. His jab snapped in the eighth, and Baldomir by now was flinching at feints.

Baldy bitched about a clash of heads in the fourth, and it looked like he was already in frustrated mode. In the fifth, he was eating shots, but that chin, my oh my. He could take heavyweight hits and stay up, I'd say.

Forrest's jab wasn't so snappy, though it actually got better later. In the third, he started mixing in some right crosses. Baldy wanted to land the left hook but he was too slow.

Early on, it was apparent that Forrest's hands, and more importantly, his feet, were quicker than his foe's. The second round was a fan friendly round, maybe not the smartest for Forrest, who could've outboxed and outfoxed his man, but to his credit, he went for the kill.

Forrest would like another fight with Mayorga if the Nicaraguan beats Vargas. He told Larry Merchant that he was having Mayorga flashbacks during the bout. Forrest said he was in camp for five months, and he deserves a rest. He refused to call anyone out. Totally refreshing, I must say.

Baldy said this fight, compared to the Mayweather fight, he was stronger. “he was good, he boxed, he stood his ground,” Baldomir said. He also said he might well retire, that this bout might be it for him.

With this win, Forrest puts himself in the mix for a fight with Floyd Mayweather. Time, and his injury history, make this possibility somewhere between remote and semi remote, but he certainly wouldn't look out of place against PBF.

SPEEDBAG Emanuel Steward, bless his frankness, said that Hopkins should do what he promised his mom, and retire. Same goes for Winky, Manny said, he should move on. Manny doesn't think either man can stand with the younger crew.

—Larry worked the show with Bob Papa, and Steward. He said he thinks Winky should've been given the win, as Hopkins ran and butted and held.

–HBO showed a clip from the Katsidis/Amonsot bout from last Saturday. They also showed a snippet from the Larios/Linares scrap. BTW, I asked HBO during the week if they'd consider showing the Katsidis win. Nope, was the answer.

–I'm waiting for Lederman to slip and say “JIM” instead of “BOB” when he sends the  cue back to the lead play by play man. The scrip server didn't bungle.

–Small but telling tactice: Forrest revereses course, moving left, then right, very effectively. Too many fighters are too predictable and don't mix it up.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles6 days ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles7 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles1 week ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles6 days ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles7 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles1 week ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending