Vernon Forrest-Sergio Mora – Can A “Contender” Win A World Title?

Sergio Moraby James Slater: Most of the stars of the hugely successful “Contender” boxing show haven’t been doing too well away from the realms of the reality T.V world just recently. Alfonso Gomez, the popular and gutsy star of series one was almost effortlessly crushed by Miguel Cotto back in April, Ishe Smith last to Joel Julio also in April, Anthony Bonsante was stopped by John Duddy last year and we all know what happened to Peter Manfredo Jnr when he fought Joe Calzaghe last year. Now, on June 7th, series one winner Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora will be the next “Contender” to fight for a world title.

Going up against the superb Vernon “The Viper” Forrest, Mora will challenge for the 37-year-old’s WBC light-middleweight title in Connecticut. Can the 27-year-old Mora go one better than his reality T.V team mates and actually win a world title? It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. Yes, Forrest is at the veteran stage of his career at age 37, and he has also suffered a number of injuries in his time. But “The Viper” has been in fine form just lately, getting good wins over Carlos Baldomir and Michele Piccirillo. Against the tough Argentine known as “Tata” Forrest looked as good as he ever has. Still very fast, and with far more world class experience than the 20-0-1(5) Mora, Forrest is rightfully a betting favourite to keep his belt.

Not a big puncher, as his five KO wins show, Mora will have to try and out-box or out-muscle Forrest to beat him. Both approaches will be hard ones for Mora to pull off. An excellent boxer as well as being a very tough competitor, Forrest will not want to lose to a guy he will look at as not being in his league. This is a guy who twice beat “Sugar” Shane Mosley, don’t forget. And while those two wins were down at welterweight and took place back in 2002, Forrest looks as though he is nothing but comfortable at 154 pounds and his form was almost back to its best in the Baldomir fight. That type of performance will be too much for Mora to cope with in this writer’s opinion.

Outside of fellow “Contender” fighters, Mora has beaten no-one whose name is familiar. And his October 2007 draw with Elvin Ayala was a fight many felt he’d lost. He may still be unbeaten right now, but don’t expect that statistic to stay as it is come June 7th. In answer to the question posed in the title of this article: No. At least not in Sergio Mora’s case.

Instead look for the classy Forrest to score either a wide points win or maybe a late stoppage on June 7th.