By Steve Ninvalle in New Jersey
Stabroek News
May 12, 2001

Following two false starts Raul Frank's date with destiny has finally arrived.

Yesterday at the Bryant Park in Manhattan the Guyanese welterweight boxer tipped the scales at the division limit of 147 pounds.

Vernon Forrest, his opponent in tonight's battle for the vacant International Boxing Federation title, recorded a weight of 145 and three quarter pounds.

A composed Frank then left the Park in the company of his wife and elder brother Steve leaving the few Guyanese there to speculate on his chances of becoming the second world champion from this country.

Up to yesterday there remained a split in deciding which boxer would prevail.

Local boxing technician Maurice `Bizzy' Boyce had no hesitation in giving his Godson the thumbs up. "At that weight I know Frank's condition is superb," he said.

"With my heart and soul I'm saying that I expect him to be victorious. He is going for broke," Boyce said. "The only style he knows is to go forward and that is what you will see from the first round. He has already felt Forrest's punches.

"This fight means so much to both fighters but I see Frank winning," Boyce stated.

And, IBF junior welterweight champion American Zab Judah predicted an exciting contest when interviewed by this newspaper but concluded by giving Forrest the edge.

"It is going to be a good fight Raul and Vernon are both good fighters," said Judah.

Their first fight was going back and forth.

Pressed to pick a likely winner Judah went with the American.

"To be honest I like Raul Frank but will have to pick Forrest to win by decision. He (Forrest) is not really a knock out artist or a very aggressive fighter. However, I like his boxing skills and he is a very rangy fighter. He has long arms and if he uses them right Raul should never get in," Judah told Stabroek Sport.

And former Junior welterweight champion Hector `Macho Comacho sided with Forrest as the possible winner. "I like Forrest. The simple reason is that I know this guy. He is a boxer and a fighter, said Comacho.

Frank and Forest meet tonight at Madison Square Garden in the main supporting bout of the Felix Trinidad versus William Joppy card. Forrest is yet to be defeated in 32 bouts while Frank has not lost a bout in nine years.