Augusta native Vernon Forrest, who rose from youth boxer to Olympian to world champion, was shot to death Sunday morning in Atlanta. He was 38.

Mr. Forrest was shot several times in the back on a street just southwest of downtown, Atlanta police Sgt. Lisa Keyes said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

He was the victim of an attempted robbery, and Sgt. Keyes said there are no suspects.

Tom Moraetes, the director of the Augusta Boxing Club where Mr. Forrest grew to prominence as an amateur, said he was "deeply saddened" by his former student's death.

"We have truly lost a great 'champion' from his boxing in the ring today, but equally as significant, we have lost a greater champ 'outside' the ring," Mr. Moraetes said in a statement. "My love and admiration for Vernon and the memories he left with us will never end."

Charles Watson, the boxer's manager, said police and witnesses told him that Mr. Forrest had stopped at a gas station to put air in his car tire when a man approached asking for money.

"Somehow, Vernon had his wallet out, and the guy snatched his wallet and started running," Mr. Watson said. "Vernon pursued after him. The guy turned the corner and Vernon didn't see him. He turned around to go back to the car. That's when he started firing."

Atlanta police Lt. Keith Meadows told WSB Radio the boxer had a gun himself. He chased after the assailants, and gunfire was exchanged, according to the Atlanta station's Web site.

Mr. Watson said Mr. Forrest's 11-year-old godson was with him but did not witness the shooting.

"I can believe that he would chase somebody down because that's Vernon," said Catherine Luckie, Mr. Forrest's former English teacher and tutor at Richmond Academy.

Fulton County medical examiner Michele Stauffenberg confirmed the case was a homicide.

"Vernon was one of the few decent people in boxing," said promoter Gary Shaw. "I don't know what to say. I'm still in disbelief, I'm still in shock."

Mr. Forrest, who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the 1992 Olympic team along with Oscar De La Hoya. He later won welterweight and junior middleweight titles -- he was nicknamed "The Viper" for his speed in the ring -- and compiled a professional record of 41-3 with 29 knockouts.

"He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing, and he will be missed by the entire boxing community," said HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg, who helped put on eight of Mr. Forrest's fights.

Mr. Forrest turned pro not long after the Barcelona Olympics, when he lost in the opening round.

He won his first world title by defeating Raul Frank at Madison Square Garden for the vacant IBF welterweight belt in May 2001, and less than a year later handed "Sugar" Shane Mosley his first career loss to capture the WBC title.

Mr. Forrest defended the belt against Mr. Mosley, winning by unanimous decision six months later, before losing to Ricardo Mayorga in January 2003. It was Mr. Forrest's first loss, and he'd lose again to Mr. Mayorga in a close bout.

After taking two years off because of injuries, Mr. Forrest embarked on an impressive comeback that included a win over Ike Quartey and a victory over Carlos Baldomir for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title. Mr. Forrest defended it once, before losing it in a stunning upset to Sergio Mora in June 2008.

Like a true champion, Mr. Forrest reclaimed it when he won a lopsided decision last September in what was his final fight.

There were tentative plans for a title fight against Sergio Martinez, perhaps in October, Mr. Shaw said. Plans for an August fight against Mr. Martinez were pushed back because of a rib injury, and the delay led the WBC to strip Mr. Forrest of his title.

His trainer Buddy McGirt said he spoke to Mr. Forrest last week, and the two were planning to return to the gym Saturday.

"I've been in a daze. I'm at a loss for words," said Mr. McGirt, who was awakened early Sunday by the call with the bad news. "When I answered, it was his assistant, and she was crying, and I knew something happened, man. I just feel so bad."

Mr. Forrest won the 2002 Fighter of the Year award from Ring Magazine , and his kindness outside of the ring earned him the Good Guy award in 2003 from the Boxing Writer's Association of America.

Those who knew the fighter praised his role in launching the Destiny's Child group homes in Atlanta, which provide homes for the mentally disabled.

Longtime publicist Kelly Swanson called him "a caring humanitarian who always stood up for what he believed to be the fairness of life."

Ms. Swanson said Mr. Forrest was not married and had one son, Vernon Jr.

Associated Press reports were used in this article.