Dave Smith

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting future world boxing champion boxing champion Vernon Forrest while working at radio station KLAC 570; which was then AM 1150. He was in training for a challenge to Shane Mosley’s 154 lb. championship and on his way in for an on-air conversation….

I’d heard he was a great guy and loved children, but nothing prepared me for his appearance a few minutes later….

He walked into the studio with a big smile on his face, called me by my first name and for an hour was the most gracious, friendliest, genuine athlete I’d ever met….

When he asked me for my prediction of his upcoming fight with Mosley, I looked him right in the eye and told him Shane was going to knock him out….

He challenged me to a bet on the spot and soon the stakes were agreed. If Shane won, Vernon would return to the studio, admit my genius and eat humble pie for an hour. But if he pulled off the upset, He would return, call me a jackass on the air and heap on the abuse for 60 minutes….

Sure enough, Vernon shocked the boxing world by not only winning the fight, but winning almost every round and sending Mosley to the canvas for the first and only time in his career….

A month or so later, Forrest walked into the studio with a big smile on his face and a gift wrapped present, which he made me open over the air….

It was framed picture of himself with his newly acquired championship belt. He also took the time to autograph it and it proudly sits atop my piano. And what did “The Viper” write on the picture? “To Dave Smith: I proved you wrong, you jackass! Ha! Ha! Ha!” And it wa signed, “Vernon Forrest, World Champion.”….

After that, I’d see him from time to time in Las Vegas and whenever he was in Los Angeles he’d drop by the studio for a couple of segments. And every time, he’d say the same thing to anyone who was in the vicinity: “Do you see this guy here.” he’d say, pointing at me, “he doesn’t know s*** about boxing.”….

He’d have a big smile on his face and it was all in fun, but I had to agree with him….

I then picked Shane to win the rematch and naturally Vernon won again, further proving Dave Smith doesn’t know s***….

So when I went online this morning and read that Vernon had been shot and killed in his native Atlanta, I was shocked, saddened and grief-stricken….

Evidently, Vernon stopped at a gas station to put air in his Jaguar’s tires and was approached by a man who wanted money. When Forrest said no, the guy grabbed his wallet and started running, while another man attempted to steal the car….

Vernon chased them down the street, pulled a gun but was unfortunately beaten to the draw, as the men had semi-automatic weapons and shot him to death….

So in the past 30 days, we’ve lost three great boxing champions: Vernon Forrest, Alexis Arguello and Arturo Gatti….

But Vernon hits a special chord with me, because of how much I liked and admired him. He was one of the truly good guys in sports and will be badly missed….

Resp in Peace, my friend, and my prayers are with you and your family….

After a week of digesting the Lakers latest move, I’ve come to this conclusion: The team is better than a year ago and in great position to repeat as World Champions….

I’ve always been a big fan of Ron Artest, despite his sometimes wacky behavior, because it’s not everyday you can find a great defender who is also a 20 ppg scorer….

So to add him to the roster, at the bargain basement price of $6M per year, is nothing but a win-win for the organization….

As for Trevor Ariza, he needs to look deep into his soul and do the obvious; fire his agent. Because David Lee screwed up this negotiation about as badly as possible….

Here’s his quote regarding his client and the Lakers from last week: “All we’re looking for is a little appreciation for what Trevor has done,” Lee said Wednesday. “I don’t think they believe Trevor is serious about leaving, and that’s too bad. I didn’t think we’d be in this situation. I am disappointed and surprised by what I thought would be some feelings for the people who have given you everything they’ve got.”….

Reaction: In this market and this economy, the mid-level exception of $5.8M per year was about the best Trevor was going to do. So going into Mitch Kupchack’s office with an attitude and confronting him was poor strategy, to say the least. To say the most, Ariza should s***-can him….

Mitch played this thing beautifully, calling Lee’s bluff and forcing them to walk away. Meanwhile, Kupchack had Artest in his hip pocket and closed the deal….

Negotiating doesn’t get much better than that: Hardball the agent, call his bluff and then bring in a better player for the same price when the fool postures and threatens to sign with another team….

Now, Ariza is going to be stuck playing in Houston for the same price the Lakers offered. Talk about a kick in the groin….

I like Trevor a lot and wanted him to return, but Artest is a better player and the Lakers didn’t have much choice but to let him walk, based on the behavior of his agent. Hopefully, Trevor will come to his senses and do two things: 1) Fire his agent and 2) Go crawling back to the Lakers and re-sign….

On Saturday morning, I saw the single greatest achievement in sports history. Yes, I’ve seen a lot of great performances, but nothing comes close to Joey Chestnut devouring a staggering 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes during the Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island….

And what a legendary battle it was, as Chestnut and his rival, six time champion Takeru, “The Tsunami” Kobayashi, both shattered the world record of 59 dogs, set last year by Chestnut and Kobayashi….

Last year, they finished tied at 59 and had to go to an Eat Off, where Chestnut put down 5 and the Tsunami 4.5. It was an epic battle and the single best sporting event I’ve ever seen….

But Saturday topped it, as Chestnut put down 68 to Takeru’s 65. What a battle, as the world record fel and both of them fought and scratched to the last second….

Sports does not get any better….

These two now form the greatest rivalry in sports and are this era’s equivalent to Ali-Frazier….

I look forward to the Nathan’s contest every year and in my book this has surpassed the Super Bowl. I’d watch this thing seven days a week over the NFL Championship….

So hats off to both Chestnut and Kobayashi, who epitomize what sports are all about….