Vernon Forrest, a former three-time champion who gained stardom when he became the first boxer to defeat Shane 'Sugar' Mosley, was shot and killed during an apparent robbery in Atlanta yesterday.

Atlanta Police Sergeant Lisa Keyes said in an e-mail yesterday that Forrest, 38, was shot "multiple times in the back" Saturday night. Keyes said there were no suspects.

Forrest, who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the 1992 United States Olympic team. He also was a former IBF welterweight and two-time WBC junior middleweight champion.

Forrest was not married and has one son, Vernon Jr.

Forrest, who had a 41-3 career record with 29 knockouts, is the third prominent boxer to die this month.

Former two-time champion Arturo Gatti, who retired in 2007, was found dead July 11 at a Brazilian resort. Gatti's wife, Amanda Rodrigues, is being held as the prime suspect.

Another former champion, Alexis Arguello, was found dead on July 1 at his home in Managua, Nicaragua. He was elected mayor of Nicaragua's capital last year.

In this January 26, 2002 file photo, Vernon Forrest of Atlanta, celebrates his 12-round unanimous decision victory over Shane Mosely for the WBC World Welterweight Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York. - FILE