Guyana Chronicle
May 11, 2001

From Isaiah Chappelle in New York (In association with Western Union Money Transfer and Swiss House Cambio) TOMORROW'S clash between Guyanese Raul Frank and American Vernon Forrest for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title is being described as the crossroads for both boxers at the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden, New York.

Pre-fight publicity documents describe the two careers as a long and hard road to a title crack for the pugilists despite their impressive entry into the sport.

Frank told Chronicle Sport: "It's been tough because I've been ignored by the other promoters for some reason I don't know. I've got all the ability to be a world champion yet these promoters bypass me."

But that changed when a scout for promoter Don King saw the Guyanese boxer and thought Frank was a world class fighter.

"And Don King saw one of my fights and decided to sign me up as one of his fighters and that's how I'm fighting for the championships," Frank related.

Frank moved to New York in 1995 and has been undefeated since then, riding on an 11-win streak.

Asked which was his greatest challenge on the road to the world title crack, Frank replied: "The USBA (United States Boxing Association), definitely the USBA (welterweight) title fight (in 1997) against Purcell Miller, an undefeated fighter. I received the Fighter of the Year award from the IBF. That was the greatest fight up to this day."

Frank is not peeved that he was robbed of the chance of possibly giving Guyana the country's first world title because he is now better prepared.

The world title contender was once the youngest-ever member of Guyana's Olympic team in 1984 at age 13 years, having already chalked up a national title. But father Richard Frank decided his son was too young for the Games.

Frank last represented Guyana in the amateur ring at the 1986 Pan-American Games, winning a medal after which he entered the professional ring.

As a professional, Frank has registered 23 wins with 12 knockouts, lost three and drew one and is now the number one contender for the IBF welterweight crown.

In the publicity release, co-trainer Al Bonanni said:

"Some guys get lucky and get a title shot early in their career. Then there are some, like Raul, who have to wait their turn. This kid deserves it.

"Not since I trained Uriah Grant have I brought a fighter into a title shot in this good a shape - he really works at it."

Opponent Forrest has an impressive amateur record of 25 wins and 16 losses, winning the US Nationals and Amateur World in 1992.

The American started his professional career on November 25, 1992, with a first round TKO over Charles Hawkins.

Forrest's first professional title came in 1997, when he convincingly beat Ray Oliveira for the WBC Continental Americas welterweight belt.

Despite an impressive undefeated 31 appearances with 25 knockouts, Forrest did not get a world title crack until last August when he met Frank for the IBF welterweight title which ended abruptly by an accidental head-butt in round three.

Forrest told Chronicle Sport: "I guess I'm not one of those guys who are considered an asker. I'm a man who set his own destiny. Maybe some people don't like independent fighters. Some people don't like people that speak their own mind and stand up for themselves. I'm one of those people."

The IBF number two contender said IBF middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins and himself are "cut from the same cloth" with Hopkins being held back because of his convictions.

"I travelled the road less travelled. Now I'm here, now is time for me to take care of business," Forrest said.

Forrest predicts he will stop Frank within the first half of the fight.