Boxing’s still weight and see for Forbes

Dean Juipe

Thursday, April 24, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

From the day he was born, weight has always been an issue with Steve Forbes.

A mere 2 pounds at birth, Forbes overcame that life-threatening situation and went on to not only become an accomplished fighter but the International Boxing Federation champion at 130 pounds.

But he lost his claim to that title when he couldn't make 130 for a defense against David Santos in August, and now Forbes says his days as a junior lightweight are likely behind him.

He's fighting late sub Silverio Ortiz to headline a Cedric Kushner-promoted card Saturday at the Stratosphere, and the contract weight allows Forbes to come in at something closer to 135. In other words, for boxing purposes he's now a lightweight.

"I guess I could make 130 if I really had to, but it would be tough and I don't want to have to do it," Forbes said. "I think I'm growing quite a bit. I can make 135 and be a lot stronger, too, so that's what I'm looking to do."

Forbes, a longtime resident of Las Vegas, is 22-1 but has only six knockouts. Which raises the question: If Forbes is going to fight at 135, where his opponents will be bigger and stronger than the guys he faced at 130, won't his lack of power be an even greater hindrance?

"I can see how people would think that's true, but the real truth is that I'm feeling so much stronger at this weight," he said. "So my opponents might be stronger, but so will I."

Forbes, whose "walking around" weight often reaches into the 150s, is coming off a fifth-round TKO victory, albeit against an inferior opponent. In his most recent fight, Jan. 3 in Norman, Okla., Forbes stopped an overmatched Ronnie Longakit, who came into the fight a mere 6-8-1.

Ortiz is 13-2 with seven KOs and gave ex-champ Jorge Paez a decent fight in his latest outing, but didn't sign to face Forbes until Tuesday. Ortiz, 20, is in for Marty Robbins, who was in for Greg Torres, making it difficult for either man in Saturday's main event to say he's properly prepared for the other.

"You've got to be careful," Forbes said of facing a late replacement. "You can get caught if you're overconfident.

"I'll use this fight to come in and work on some things, like body shots and timing."

Forbes, 26, always needs the work and those familiar with him know that a lack of regular dates hasn't helped his career. Although he will be fighting for a second time this year -- both since becoming affiliated with Kushner -- he fought only once in each of the past two years.

"I'm a little busier (with Kushner) but I'd like to be even more busy," Forbes said. "I need to get in the ring."

Forbes moved to Las Vegas and opened his pro career in 1996, winning his first 14 fights before losing by majority decision to Alejandro Gonzalez three years ago. He has since won the vacant IBF title at 130 pounds with a victory against John Brown, defended that title in a rematch with Brown and beatenSantos by split decision after losing his title on the scales.

This will be his first fight here since meeting Ernesto Zepeda in 2000.

"It's good to be fighting, but especially good that it's in Las Vegas," said Forbes, who trained for this fight in his native Oregon.

Five other fights are scheduled on the Stratosphere card, including: David Defiagbon, 18-0, vs. Joe Lenhart, 10-17-3, six rounds, heavyweights; Willie Chapman, 14-17-3, vs. Jimmy Lester, 6-12-2, six rounds, heavyweights; Ray Austin, 17-3-2, vs. an opponent yet to be determined, six rounds, heavyweights; Dennis Weaver, 7-2, vs. Alphonzo Davis, 4-10-1, four rounds, heavyweights; and Vaia Zaganas, 8-1, vs. Hollie Dunaway, 1-1, four rounds, women, strawweights.

First bell is 7 p.m.