SkinsFanLarry
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Vernon Forrest, a former three-time champion who gained stardom when he became the first boxer to defeat "Sugar" Shane Mosley, was shot and killed during an apparent robbery in Atlanta, police said Sunday.
Atlanta Police Sgt. Lisa Keyes said in an e-mail Sunday that Forrest, 38, was shot "multiple times in the back" Saturday night. Keyes said there are no suspects.
"Vernon was one of the few decent people in boxing," promoter Gary Shaw said Sunday.
"I mean really decent. He cared about mentally challenged adults. He cared about kids. I just can't believe it."
Mark Guilbeau, an investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office, said an autopsy is planned for Sunday.
Forrest, a native of Augusta, Ga., who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the 1992 Olympic team. He also was a former IBF welterweight and two-time WBC junior middleweight champion.
"He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing and he will be missed by the entire boxing community and all of his friends at HBO," HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told The Associated Press.
Greenburg helped put on eight of Forrest's fights.
"Maybe Vernon's lasting legacy will be for Americans everywhere to rise up and end this kind of senseless violence," Greenburg said.
Those who knew the fighter praised his role in launching the Destiny's Child group homes in Atlanta, which work to provide homes for the mentally disabled.
Atlanta Police Sgt. Lisa Keyes said in an e-mail Sunday that Forrest, 38, was shot "multiple times in the back" Saturday night. Keyes said there are no suspects.
"Vernon was one of the few decent people in boxing," promoter Gary Shaw said Sunday.
"I mean really decent. He cared about mentally challenged adults. He cared about kids. I just can't believe it."
Mark Guilbeau, an investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office, said an autopsy is planned for Sunday.
Forrest, a native of Augusta, Ga., who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the 1992 Olympic team. He also was a former IBF welterweight and two-time WBC junior middleweight champion.
"He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing and he will be missed by the entire boxing community and all of his friends at HBO," HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told The Associated Press.
Greenburg helped put on eight of Forrest's fights.
"Maybe Vernon's lasting legacy will be for Americans everywhere to rise up and end this kind of senseless violence," Greenburg said.
Those who knew the fighter praised his role in launching the Destiny's Child group homes in Atlanta, which work to provide homes for the mentally disabled.
