Heavyweight Boxing
Heavyweight Jerry "Slugger" Forrest (26-6-2, 20 KOs) is set to make a triumphant return to the ring, headlining an electrifying event near his hometown in Richmond, VA. Forrest, hailing from Newport News, VA, will step into the ring at John Marshall Hall, taking on Robert Hall Jr. (14-1, 11 KOs) in the adrenaline-pumping eight-round main event. This thrilling matchup, aptly titled "Ritz & Rumble," is proudly promoted by River City Promotions and will be streamed live on FITE+ at 7:00 pm ET.
"I'm thrilled to get back into the ring after taking some time off after my last fight. I've studied Hall, and I know he's not as fast as me, nor can he keep up with my pressure. I believe that no one can beat me when I'm 100 percent healthy and in shape," expressed Forrest, radiating confidence ahead of his comeback. He has spent extensive time preparing for this moment, benefiting from the expertise of his new head coach, Eric Ash, who hails from Vintage Boxing Gym & Fitness in Richmond, VA. Interestingly, the gym is conveniently located near one of Lou DiBella's Minor League Baseball teams, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, who have lent their support to promote the event among their fans.
Reflecting on the past year, Forrest mentioned, "Last year, I was dealing with injuries going into both of my fights. Following the Jared Anderson fight, I took some time off to heal, and now I am fully healthy." With this upcoming victory, Forrest intends to swiftly re-enter the heavyweight division fray, acknowledging the numerous opportunities it presents. He has already proven his mettle at the highest echelons of the division, making him a formidable heavyweight boxer.
Jerry "Slugger" Forrest's journey in the boxing world has been marked by fierce battles. Last year, he faced rising contender Jared Anderson and former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev. Notably, in 2021, Forrest engaged in back-to-back slugfests, both of which ended in controversial draws. These draws came against then-undefeated Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang and in a rematch against top-rated contender Michael Hunter. The consensus among observers was that Forrest deserved to emerge victorious in both encounters.
Forrest's ring moniker, "Slugger," carries a deeply personal story. He earned this nickname from his grandmother after surviving complications during his birth. Notably, his father serves as a master chief petty officer in the US Navy aboard the USS Nimitz. Before making a name for himself in the boxing world, Forrest worked as a nuclear electrician for a decade, contributing to vital operations on submarines and aircraft carriers.
Forrest's opponent, Robert Hall Jr., stands at six feet three inches and hails from Johnson City, TN. Hall Jr. boasts the title of former WBC USA titlist and is riding high on a three-fight winning streak, all ending by knockout, following his sole defeat in 2017. He has proven to be a formidable adversary, as evident from his remarkable 10-round unanimous decision victory against the previously unbeaten prospect Dimar Ortuz.
As the spotlight shines on the "Ritz & Rumble" event, fans eagerly anticipate the return of Jerry "Slugger" Forrest, who is set to showcase his skills and determination in what promises to be a captivating battle inside the ring.
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