This Saturday night we will see a battle between two former Ring magazine Welterweight champions, both of whom are at a crossroads in their careers. Both
have had their high moments in the ring, but for both men those moments have been in the past. For one, a win could mean getting back into the title picture. For  the other, a loss could mean disappearing from the forefront. This is what Vernon Forrest and Carlos Baldomir face on Saturday night, when they vie for the vacant WBC light middleweight title, in a match-up of very different styles.

     Carlos Baldomir was on top of the world after two impressive victories over Zab Judah and Arturo Gatti. He was the welterweight champion of the world, and one of Boxing's great underdog stories. He then went after a big fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., and got shut out; not that this was anything to be ashamed of considering who he was fighting, but it was still disappointing. It was as if Baldomir had finally come off his cloud.

     Baldomir now finds himself in the bounce back position, knowing that another loss, a second in a row, could send his long career spiraling down the ladder. A win, however, could get him right back up near the top. It's truly a crossroads fight for Baldomir.

     Vernon Forrest has turned into Boxing's version of the invisible man. The former 2002 Fighter of the Year and former pound for pounder has been off the radar for about four years. The only time his name is mentioned, it's usually prefaced by "whatever happened to him?"

     Forrest was the first man who proved Shane Mosley human. He became the undisputed (WBC) welterweight champion when he defeated Mosley a second time in Indianapolis, Indiana, way back in 2002, and then things plummeted. In his next fight he was shockingly knocked out in three rounds by little known at the time Ricardo Mayorga, losing the rematch via majority decision, 112-116, 112-114, 114 all. That's where Vernon Forrest seemingly disappeared.

    Forrest battled nagging injuries and didn't return until 2005. He won two  lackluster fights against little known Mexican fighter Elco 'The Animal' Garcia, (TKO10), and Sergio Rios, (TKO2), before disappearing until the summer of 2006. He then won a very controversial decision over Ike Quartey that did little to remind fans of the old Forrest. He won an ugly fight that many thought he lost. Now he fights another former champ in Baldomir. The hourglass is getting thinner for Forrest and his chances of regaining past glories are shrinking. A loss to Baldomir would be devastating, considering that Forrest hasn't looked good in the ring in five years. But, a win could turn some heads, and get Forrest back up near the top where he so desperately wants to return.  There is no question this is also a crossroads fight for Forrest.

     The fight should certainly see two contrasting styles. Baldomir is the slow,  straight ahead brawler while Forrest prefers to stay back and box. If Forrest can do this, even close to the way Mayweather did, then he should be able to win. But, hold on just a second. Forrest is not as elusive as Mayweather, and he has been drawn into brawling before (i.e. Mayorga). If Baldomir can draw Forrest into a brawl then he may have a chance. Only Saturday night will tell who will win this crossroads battle.