Mayorga promises shorter fight in rematch with Forrest

Tuesday, May 20, 2003 | 10:43 a.m.

LAS VEGAS AP) - Ricardo Mayorga needed only three rounds to knock out Vernon Forrest the last time they met. He expects the rematch to be even shorter.

"He is going down. I am hungrier for this fight than I have ever been," Mayorga said Tuesday. "I invite everybody to come out and watch two great rounds of boxing."

Mayorga will defend his WBA and WBC 147-pound titles July 12 against Forrest, who was unbeaten and coming off of two big wins over Shane Mosley when Mayorga stopped him in the third round Jan. 25.

The free-spirited Mayorga was a 6-1 underdog but turned the fight into a brawl in the third round and landed a big right hand that ended the fight.

To celebrate, the Nicaraguan fighter smoked a cigarette in the ring and then went to have a few beers.

"I am a super champion and I am super crazy," Mayorga said.

Mayorga (24-3-1, 22 knockouts) made the comments at a press conference to announce the fight at the Orleans hotel-casino. Forrest (35 (1)- was a no-show, as was promoter Don King, who went with Mayorga to Nicaragua to celebrate after he beat Forrest.