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.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Back 
I don't know about the wisdom of quoting Tom Moraetes. Doesn't the writer know about the bitter arguments after Forrest became champion? Read these comments by Forrest. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/090999/opi_046-6701.shtml, http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/09/09/op__269766.shtml and these by Moraetes and his wife: http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/082599/opi_046-6596.shtml, http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/091599/opi_032-5749.shtml, http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/09/15/op__270312.shtml
He was shot to death by a black man. Seems as if the blacks are their own worst enemy. Such a violent people bringing death to all who cross their paths.
Bitter arguments can be set aside when something like this happens. That is what Tom has done. It does no good to bring up the past. It's over.
The good always die young. What a cryng shame.
What a tremendous tragedy. Vernon was great champion and an even greater person.I hope the folks responsible are caught and face the max. Rest in Peace Vernon aka Viper!!!!
I remember going to the Boy's Club and hanging out with Vernon as a teen in the mid-late 80's. What a senseless act of violence. My condolences to his family. I hope the killer is brought to justice. R.I.P. Vernon " The Viper " Forrest......
not only will we miss him-(boxing racket guys),,but the
world will lose a great person!!!,,,god bless his family in this nightmare of a day!!,,,,i am "elroy johnson,,international boxing promoter/agent.
RIP Vernon Forrest. Boxing has lost a true warrior and I have lost a friend. You will always be remembered for what you did inside and outside of the Boxing Ring. RIP.
I attended school and lived close to vernon I knew him for a long time and he was good person just trying to make it in the life we were givin I was happy to hear about him getting it together and doing good not to many from the old neightborhood did. I think of vernon from time to time but always with a smile. God bless his family. we have all lost a good friend.
it was so sad to hear about this senseless act. why could they not leave him alone. he was headed back to his car.i hope they find the bums that did this and fry them..i wish he would have gotten to them first
Always pulled for Vernon when he was in the ring. we will miss him
Riverman1 - after spending half the day with Tom today, and talking to him, I can tell you truly that Tom and Vernon had burried the hatchet many years ago. I started at the Chafey Park gym, about the same time that "Shorty" started. Tom made us sparring partners, then we ended up going to school together at ARC, and walking or riding the bus to the Augusta Boxing Club, togther. He was a champion, both in and out of the ring, and he would probably have been neither were it not for the direction of Tom Moraetes.
I Love You, V.
Scotty Mack A.K.A. "Lefty"