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Last night at New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden, former welterweight world champions Vernon Forrest and Ike Quartey clashed as light middleweights and when the smoke finally cleared it was the towering Forrest who came away with a disputed win. Failing to hold on to the competitive advantage established early, Forrest found himself timed by the shorter Quartey, who scored the higher quality shots throughout the bout. But Forrest was busier than the 36 year old African and despite losing a point for low blows, the American won the ten round contest via scores of 96-93 and 95-94 (twice). The crowd in attendance voiced their displeasure with the scorecards by showering the arena with boos as Ike Quartey, 37-3-1 (31), loses yet another controversial decision. Vernon Forrest, 38-2 (28), gets his first important win since losing a pair to Ricardo Mayorga in 2003.
On the undercard, light middle Sechew Powell’s lack of high level opposition left him unprepared to face the far more seasoned Kassim Ouma and the New York area prospect was defeated in the ten round affair via scores of 100-90, 97-93 and 96-94. Former IBF world champion Ouma, 25-2-1 (15), simply had too much variety and stamina for Powell, 20-1 (12), in this battle of southpaws.
Full Ringside Report from SaddoBoxing correspondent Richmann to follow.
