Mosley, Forrest Set Rematch

Pomona’s “Sugar” Shane Mosley said Monday he and Vernon Forrest have agreed to terms for their welterweight championship rematch.

The fight is scheduled for July 20 and probably will be fought at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as part of the Indiana Black Expo’s summer celebration event.

“They’re paying a $1-million site fee, and unless a casino in Las Vegas steps up in the next few days, we’ll be fighting at Conseco,” Mosley said. “Indy really wants us.”

Mosley (38-1, 35 knockouts) was knocked down twice and lost his World Boxing Council welterweight belt by unanimous decision to Forrest (33-0, 26 KOs) on Jan. 26 in New York.

Mosley said he and his new promoter, Barry Frank of marketing giant IMG, accepted a deal in which Mosley will receive 47% of the purse, about $2.8 million.

Forrest will earn an estimated $3.1 million.

Forrest, an Atlanta native, dominated Mosley in their first bout. A second-round head butt drew blood on Mosley’s forehead and he was twice knocked down in the round.

He failed to win consecutive rounds and one judge scored the fight, 118-108.

Forrest also eliminated Mosley in the 1992 U.S. Olympic boxing team trials.

Another loss would be devastating to Mosley’s career, but he said he’s gladly accepting that as a challenge.

“I want to get this fight done and move on down the road,” Mosley said. “I’m very confident. I haven’t a worry in the world.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity.”

Mosley, who gained acclaim as one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters after defeating Oscar De La Hoya in June 2000, contends the head butt left him dazed and allowed Forrest, an 8-to-1 underdog, to claim the upset.

“I know in my heart why I lost and I’ll show the world why it happened,” Mosley said.

“He [Forrest] is a good fighter. But I believe I’m a super champion.

“And I know true champions rise to the occasion.”