Sergio Martinez new WBC 154lb champ

May 20, 2009 – From the office of Jose Sulaiman – The World Boxing Council wishes to recognize the career of a great boxer from the USA, Vernon Forrest. Vernon Forrest has been associated with the WBC since 1997 when he became the WBC Continental Americas welterweight champion then conquered the WBC affiliated federation (NABF) championship, which he defended several times to eventually become the WBC world champion by beating in a dramatic fashion Shane Mosley and ratifying such victory beating again in a rematch the same Shane Mosley..

Vernon Forrest became superwelterweight champion defeating Carlos Baldomir in 2007 and re-conquered the superwelterweight championship defeating Sergio Mora on September 2008.

Vernon Forrest is a 3-time WBC world champion and a champion outside the ring, known for his relentless human actions in support of the children and underprivileged beautiful persons in the world.

Very unfortunately Vernon Forrest has sustained an injury, which is forcing him to stay away from the ring for some time.

The WBC is hereby naming Sergio Martinez as the undisputed WBC superwelterweight champion of the world. Sergio Martinez is one of the most loyal fighters I have ever met as WBC President. Our dear Ruben Martinez, who passed away 2 years ago, fought with passion to bring the opportunity to Sergio and it was with a sensational victory over Alex Bunema that he won the WBC interim green and gold belt and then defended his interim championship against Kermit Cintron and is now regarded as a new sensation of boxing and I am sure that he will proudly represent the WBC.

Vernon Forrest has been unanimously voted as WBC Ambassador of Peace and Good Will in the World Through Sports and will be eligible to compete for the WBC championship as soon as he recovers from his injury with a 55-45 split versus Sergio Martinez.

I am very happy for Sergio Martinez and very honored to have Vernon Forrest as an Ambassador and confident that he will heal very soon to compete for the WBC championship again.

Jose Sulaiman Ch.

WBC President