22.09.08 – by James Slater – “The Viper,” Vernon Forrest and “The Latin Snake,” Sergio Mora, are all tied up at the moment, with one win each. Contender star Mora upset the odds and Forrest back in June with a close points win, while now three-time champ Forrest got revenge with his own points victory this past September 13th. The question is, will there be a deciding bout?
No, neither of the first two fights were what you could call classics, but at the same time they were far from stinkers. And there is pride at stake. Mora certainly wants a third meeting and he believes he is the better fighter. Claiming his pre-fight battle with the scales led to his loss in the rematch, Mora insists he can beat Forrest again. Coincidentally, “The Viper” put his loss in fight one down to over training. Maybe he was telling the truth, because he looked a different fighter in the return.
Mora will be hoping he too is given a second chance in this particular boxing rivalry, and that if he is he will fight like he did back in June and beat the veteran champion again. Let’s face it, there aren’t that many other options out there for either guy. It’s not for a lack of trying, as both men have called out the big names, but they have been unsuccessful in luring an Oscar De La Hoya or a Shane Mosley or a Ricardo Mayorga into the ring with them. So what else are they going to do but fight each other one more time?
If there is no rubber-match, Mora will forever claim he was denied the opportunity to prove he was the better man. So far, Forrest has made no demand for a third go with the fighter he said would never beat him. But the fight has a good chance of taking place. No doubt, we would in all likelihood see another 12-round distance fight, as opposed to a quick KO either way, but there are worse fights being made all the time. Shouldn’t this rivalry reach its logical ending?
Forrest, at age 37 and after all he’s achieved in boxing, doesn’t figure to have too long left in the sport. He’s done very well to come back as he has after his numerous shoulder operations and his devastating stoppage loss to the aforementioned Ricardo Mayorga, but it seems he is destined to never again reach the glory of a night like the one when he defeated Sugar Shane Mosley. Here’s an idea for Forrest; fight Mora a third time, beat him and settle any debate as to who is the best, and then retire as a world champion. Many great fighters have gone out in far worse style.
As for Mora, he will be hoping to get the chance to ruin any such plans on the part of Forrest. Here’s betting part III happens and Mora gets such a chance.