July 27th, 2009.
Press Release
WORLD MOURNING;
VERNON FORREST PASSED AWAY.
With profound sorrow, the World Boxing Council and its President, Jose Sulaiman, are declaring today a day of world mourning due to the tragic passing away of their dear and loyal friend, many times world champion, and WBC Peace and Concord Ambassador, Vernon Forrest, who loyally loved the green and gold belt, and was an active financial sponsor against the illness of mental handicap as well as he sponsored other associations that benefit those in need…..
A true exemplary man from the United States.
Vernon was an Olympic fighter in Barcelona, WBC Continental Americas champion, and WBC – NABF champion. After personally asking the WBC President for a title shot, he amazed the world when he won the WBC Welterweight world title by defeating the then champion, Shane Mosley, to later amaze everybody again when he defeated Mosley in the rematch. Forrest also won the WBC Superwelterweight world title, which he had to leave due to an injury, and he was preparing to recover and challenge for the WBC world title once again when he was murdered.
REST IN PEACE
The WBC sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends, among whom some of them stand out: Al Haymon, his eternal manager, Charles Watson, and all the fans of the U.S.A. and the whole world.
It is truly regrettable that so many tragedies have struck boxing in this current 2009, as just recently, the also WBC world champions, Alexis Arguello, from Nicaragua, and Arturo Gatti, from Canada, went through tragedies that ended their lives.
Their bodies were said goodbye to by the WBC, by placing a world champion green and gold belt on their coffins, which was exactly the same thing done recently when Mexican fighter Raul “Raton” Macias, the top idol of Mexican people, passed away.
8 former world champions, heroes of their countries and boxing, have passed away in this tragic 2009, such as: Ingemar Johanson, from Sweden, who won the title by defeating immortal Floyd Patterson.
Saensak Muangsurin, from Thailand, who was buried after receiving the honors of his Majesty, the King of Thailand.
Johnny Caldwell, from Ireland, one of the greatest Bantamweight fighters in his time.
Jose “Chegui” Torres, a great friend of ours, silver medal in 1954, and Lightheavyweight world champion.
Alfredo Marcano, from Venezuela, Superfeatherweight world champion, and idol in his country.
Giovanni Parisi, from Italy, Lightweight world champion and the idol of Italian promoter, Salvatore Cherchi.
Jisselle Salandy, from Trinidad and Tobago, WBC Female Superwelterweight world champion and an example to the world.
The two fighters that we mentioned last, also passed away in a tragic way.
May they rest in peace and May God comfort their families and all the people who loved them.
Leave a Reply