From Isaiah Chappelle in New York
Guyana Chronicle
May 10, 2001

(In association with Western Union Money Transfer and Swiss House Cambio)

PROMOTER Don King yesterday hosted the final pre-fight press conference for Saturday night's double world title card which has been dubbed a historic and career night at the Madison Square Garden venue.

Guyanese contender for the International Boxing Federation welterweight title, Raul Frank, announced he would send opponent Vernon Forrest on the midnight train to Georgia.

The press conference for the under-card fights was actually on Tuesday but the all the fighters made appearances on the one for the main bout.

"At Tuesday's press conference, Vernon Forrest said the only thing that I'm taking back to Brooklyn is a whipping. But Vernon, we gonna send you back on the midnight train to Georgia," Frank declared.

Forrest responded: "As I said, all you'll be taking back to Brooklyn is a good whipping. So, come Saturday night, watch it."

The two boxers met last August, but the fight ended abruptly when Frank sustained a cut from a head-butt and could not continue.

In an exclusive interview, Frank told Chronicle Sport that that fight had not started because he and Forrest were just feeling out each other when the accident occurred.

"This fight Saturday night means much more. I'm better prepared. I was prepared by Panama Lewis, one of the greatest trainers, my brother Steve and entourage. We worked very hard for this one," Frank said.

In the publicity release, Frank is described as a busy fighter with a big heart.

"Not known as a brawler, he overwhelms his opponent with boxing skills and finesse. He is currently riding an 11-fight winning streak," the release stated.

Forrest told the Guyanese media that he was in control in the last fight but it did not go long enough.

"That was my opportunity to win a world title. It put my career back some 15 months," Forrest said.

The IBF number two contender said he trained for eight weeks for the last fight and would have won because he was working to a game plan which he was following to the `T' when the accident occurred.

"This time around, we gonna take care of business. I want this title more than anything and I'm going out to get it," Forrest disclosed.

Asked what he learnt from the last encounter, Forrest replied: "Keep my hands up and my head back."

Madison Square Garden representative described the card as a career night, saying the Frank/Forrest fight would lead to a mega showdown against Shane Mosley later in the year.

The bout was also described by an HBO official as the cross-roads for both Frank and Forrest.

But the focus was on the main bout between champion, William Joppy, and challenger Felix `Tito' Trinidad for the World Boxing Association middleweight title.

Joppy who spoke first said Trinidad has so far fought babies and he now will be meeting a man. Although he described the Trinidad camp as "very professional", Joppy said he will beat the Puerto Rican.

Trinidad reminded the champion that he was a champion since 1993 and that Joppy had already lost.

"This time he will be losing to me," Trinidad said.

That fight is second in the World Boxing Council middleweight series which will lead to an undisputed champion because the winner will meet IBF champion Bernard Hopkins.