In a fight that exceeded expectations, Vernon "the Viper" Forrest won a resounding decision over the game, but overmatched, Carlos "Tata" Baldomir. Seemingly showing no ill effects of the sporadic layoffs and numerous injuries that have derailed him of late, Forrest looked the best that he has been since his first victory over Sugar Shane Mosley over five years ago.
I had Forrest winning nine rounds to Baldomir’s three (117-111), but if you looked at each fighter’s face after the fight, you would have thought it was perhaps a draw. I, like many bloggers, fans and the media, assumed this fight was going to be a miserable matchup, pitting two veteran fighters on the downside of their respective careers. Instead of the plate of hot wings that I threw down, I should have had a nice helping of crow because I figuratively ate it. This fight turned out to be one of the most entertaining, one-sided scraps that you will ever see.
Forrest is now a player at 154 pounds while Baldomir is left with some tough questions to answer in the wake of his second consecutive loss. Although losing to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather and Vernon Forrest back-to-back is nothing to scoff at, what else is there for "Tata" to accomplish?
This "everyman" fighter got the most out of his modest athletic ability, produced some memorable performances (wins against Zab Judah and Arturo Gatti), and has set himself up for life (financially). Baldomir intimated retirement in his post-fight interview and was humble and gracious in defeat. This humility leads me to believe that he will retire, unlike other fighters that I won’t name.
All in all, it was a good fight between two of boxing’s genuinely good guys. One (Forrest) likely moves on to bigger and better things in the ring (title fight), the other (Baldomir) is likely to move on to bigger and better things outside of it (family/retirement).
