Unlike their explosive first meeting, the rematch developed into a competitive 12-round battle that featured dramatic momentum swings.
Mayorga wasted little time imposing himself. Pressing forward behind his awkward, aggressive style, he forced Forrest into exchanges from the opening bell instead of allowing the former champion to control the fight behind his jab. In the second round, Mayorga landed several heavy shots that visibly hurt Forrest and briefly had him on the defensive.
Forrest answered with his jab and straight right hand, but Mayorga continued pressing forward and kept the action at close range through much of the first half of the fight.
The middle rounds belonged to Forrest. He landed the jab more consistently, moved laterally around the ring, and connected with cleaner counterpunches as the fight became more competitive.
The taller former champion gradually dictated the pace, avoiding many of the wild exchanges that had cost him dearly in their first meeting and working his way back into the contest.
With the fight hanging in the balance entering the championship rounds, Mayorga responded with another surge.
The defending champion increased his pressure, backed Forrest toward the ropes on several occasions, and threw enough punches to edge several close rounds. His aggression and higher work rate helped him finish the fight strongly.
After 12 fiercely contested rounds, the scorecards read 116-112 and 115-114 for Mayorga, while the third judge scored the bout 114-114, giving the Nicaraguan a majority decision victory.
The win removed virtually any doubt surrounding Mayorga’s championship reign.
His knockout of Forrest in January could no longer be dismissed as a fortunate upset. He had now defeated the former champion twice in six months, once by stoppage and once over 12 demanding rounds.
After the fight, Mayorga praised Forrest’s improved performance while insisting the former champion still could not hurt him before turning his attention toward bigger fights, including a potential bout with Oscar De La Hoya.
Forrest’s defeat ended his immediate bid to regain the unified welterweight championship. He boxed far better than he had in the first meeting and remained competitive throughout all 12 rounds, but it was not enough to convince two of the three judges.
The victory established Mayorga as one of boxing’s leading welterweights. He retained the WBA, WBC, and The Ring championships and left Las Vegas with consecutive victories over the man many had considered the division’s standard-bearer entering 2003.
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