Mora gets title shot against Forrest

For Sergio Mora, growing up in a single-parent home in East L.A., weekend barbecues often involved a little fighting.

“We would put on swap-meet gloves, announce each other and try to emulate a real fight,” said Mora, who said his barbecue record as a 14-year-old was 15-0 with 15 knockouts.

“I was beating people up. And they were older and stronger than me.”

Fourteen years later, Mora is undefeated in 21 pro fights entering tonight’s World Boxing Council super welterweight title fight against champion Vernon Forrest (40-2, 29 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. The Mora-Forrest fight as well as a welterweight title rematch between Carlos Quintana (25-1, 19 KOs) and Paul Williams (33-1, 24 KOs) will be shown on a tape-delayed basis on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m.

“This is definitely a moment I’ve dreamed about my entire career,” Mora said during a conference call with the media. “I have aspired to be a world champion. I’m not nervous because whenever you’re prepared for something mentally and physically you just look for an opportunity to just come.”

But while this is the first professional title fight that has come Mora’s way he has already won one title, winning the championship in the nationally televised boxing reality series “The Contender” three years ago. A natural middleweight, he’s stepping down six pounds in class to fight for a title against a boxer he once sparred with.

“It’s definitely a big step for me, but I think it’s time to take that step,” Mora, 28, said. “I may not deserve this title shot, say maybe the rankings. But as far as me being a formidable fighter, I’ve proven myself against different opposition that would prove that I actually do have a chance against Forrest.”

Forrest, 37, who will fighting in his eighth title bout, dismissed that.

“I describe Mora’s style as garbage,” said Forrest, whose career was interrupted for two years during which he had multiple surgeries on his left shoulder and elbow. “I’m setting my legacy. Every fight is personal to me right now. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Those days are over. Nice guys always finish last.”

This will be the Atlanta fighter’s sixth bout since beginning his comeback in July 2005.

Quintana, a 31-year-old Puerto Rican, took Williams’ title with a unanimous decision in February at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula. That was the only loss in 34 professional bouts for Williams, a 26-year-old from Augusta, Ga.

“It will be cool to get my title back,” Williams said. “I’m just going to go out there, do my job again and get my belt back.”

Responded Quintana: “I can’t say what type of win it will be, but I’m expecting another triumph.”

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