Vernon Forrest was remembered Monday as a different kind of boxer – one more interested in promoting his charity than himself.
More than 1,000 people, including former boxing champions Evander Holyfield, Antonio Tarver, Robert Allen and Buddy McGirt, attended Forrest’s funeral at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia.
Family members entered the sanctuary wearing Forrest’s championship belts.
Forrest, 38, was shot and killed July 25 after being robbed at an Atlanta gas station. Atlanta police, helped by surveillance footage and tips from “America’s Most Wanted,” said Monday they expect to issue arrest warrants soon.
The funeral celebrated Forrest’s life with a video tribute showing championship moments and his sparkling smile. Friends and relatives described him as understated for the world of boxing.
Les King, a pallbearer, said some wanted Forrest to be more flamboyant and do more trash-talking.
“He didn’t need that, he didn’t want that,” King said.
Kery Davis, head of programming for HBO Sports, recalled signing Forrest to a multifight contract following his 2001 upset of “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the welterweight title.
Davis asked Forrest how he wanted to be “introduced to the world.”
“The first thing he said was, ‘I’ve got an opportunity with this showcase, with this platform, to tell the world about Destiny’s Child,” Davis said.
Destiny’s Child, which Forrest co-founded in 1997, was the focus of his charity work. The organization has established 11 group homes for the mentally disabled, and trains them to live as independently as possible.
An Augusta native who had lived in Atlanta 16 years, Forrest is survived by his mother, his 12-year-old son, five brothers, three sisters and three stepsisters.
Alfonso Forrest softly banged the lectern and choked back tears as he talked about his slain brother.
“I cannot believe that today, tomorrow, yesterday, the day before, that Vernon is not here,” he said. “He didn’t deserve it, I don’t deserve it, none of us do. It hurts so bad. This hurts so bad.
It didn’t take Forrest long to leave a legacy, Bishop Eddie Long said.
“He fought with a purpose. He prepared for his fights. He was disciplined in his fighting. He fought for his good name and reputation. He fought for his family,” Long said. “He fought for the community.”
As he entered the church, Holyfield said he’ll remember Forrest more for what he did outside the ring.
“He was a good fighter, a good friend, a person who was very concerned about others,” Holyfield said.
Former Atlanta Falcons Jamal Anderson and Ray Buchanan were among those in attendance.
Forrest had a 41-3 career record, with 29 knockouts. His last fight came in September 2008, when he battered Sergio Mora to reclaim his WBC 154-pound title.
Forrest was scheduled to fight again in April but had to vacate his title when he suffered a rib injury. He was planning a comeback this fall.
Forrest’s promoter, Gary Shaw, said he hoped Forrest’s killing sparks a renewed effort to reduce violent crime.
“Maybe Vernon Forrest’s legacy will not be that he was a United States Olympian, or a great world champion who had several belts, or that he beat Shane Mosley,” Shaw said. “His legacy will be helping the unfortunate and to stop all this violence.”
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