set to make his boxing comeback tonight, not far from his hometown. The main event will take place at John Marshall Hall, Richmond, VA, where he will face Robert Hall Jr. (14-1, 11 KOs) in an intense eight-round fight. The event, branded “Ritz & Rumble” by River City Promotions, will be broadcast live on FITE+ starting 7:00pm ET.
“I’m genuinely excited to step back into the ring after a hiatus post my recent fight. I’ve analyzed Hall’s style and I’m confident about my speed and relentless pressure giving me an edge. I’m of the view that when I’m at my optimal health and fitness level, I stand undefeated. My training regimen under the guidance of my new coach, Eric Ash, at his facility, Vintage Boxing Gym & Fitness in Richmond, VA, has been exceptional. Interestingly, the gym is situated nearby where one of Lou DiBella’s MiLB baseball squads, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, play their matches. We even attended a few games, and they’ve been generous in promoting our event among their fanbase,” Forrest commented.
“During my bouts last year, I was grappling with injuries. After my face-off with Jared Anderson, I decided to take a break to rejuvenate. Now, feeling more robust than ever, once I secure a victory in this fight, I aim to reestablish myself prominently in the boxing scene. Given the wealth of opportunities in the heavyweight division currently, I’m keen on demonstrating that I stand tall amongst the best.”
Previously, Forrest squared off against budding contender Jared Anderson and former world title aspirant Kubrat Pulev. 2021 saw him in action-packed fights that resulted in debated draws, first against the then-undefeated southpaw Zhilei Zhang, and later in a follow-up fight with highly-ranked contender Michael Hunter. Majority of the viewers leaned towards Forrest as the deserving winner of these encounters.
Forrest’s power in his punches earned him the moniker “Slugger” from his grandmother, especially after overcoming challenges during his birth. Forrest’s father serves as a master chief petty officer in the US Navy aboard the USS Nimitz. Before fully committing to boxing, Forrest took up a role as a nuclear electrician for a decade, contributing his expertise to submarines and aircraft carriers.
As for his opponent, the towering six-foot-three Hall Jr., hailing from Johnson City, TN, is an ex-WBC USA champion. Fresh from a three-fight winning spree, all being knockouts, following his singular loss in 2017, he’s showcased his skills, particularly with his comprehensive 10-round win against the formerly undefeated Dimar Ortuz. He’s proved himself as a contender to watch out for, with potential to spring a surprise.