NEW YORK (May 4, 2010) — ESPN’s award-winning primetime newsmagazine E:60 told the unusual story of undefeated world champion and future rabbi YURI FOREMAN in the episode that aired tonight.
It’s an old story, kind of. A penniless immigrant finds his way to America, wins fame and fortune in the boxing ring and marries a model. But as E:60’s Jeremy Schaap reports, this is a story with a twist..
The episode is now available online: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5163154
Foreman is in training for his first title defense, against three-time world champion and the pride or Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto. Cotto vs. Foreman will headline “Stadium Slugfest” — the inaugural brawl at Yankee Stadium, Saturday, June 5. It will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT.
Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs), a 29-year-old from Brooklyn, NY, became the first orthodox Jew to win a world championship in nearly 75 years. Born in Gomel, Belarus, and raised in Israel, Foreman eventually emigrated to Brooklyn. The 2001 New York Golden Gloves Champion turned pro in 2002 and began studying to become a rabbi three years ago. Foreman knocked down defending champion Daniel Santos in the final round of their November 2009 rumble in Las Vegas (ironically on the undercard of Pacquiao-Cotto) en route to a decisive and unanimous decision victory while becoming Israel’s first world champion fighter.
Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004 and will be looking to extend that streak with his challenge of Foreman. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006,
a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title in February 2009, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round to become the WBO welterweight champion. He lost the title in his second defense, last November, to Manny Pacquiao. Notable scalps on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malinaggi, and Demarcus Corley.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and Yankee Stadium, remaining tickets to Cotto vs. Foreman, priced at $400, $300, $200, $100, $75 and $50, can be purchased at the Yankee Stadium box office, Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone, 877-469-9849 or Tickemaster TTY 800-943-4327. For more information on Cotto vs. Foreman, go to www.TopRank.com.
World Boxing Champion Runs Boxing Clinic for The NY Police Program for Kids in Staten Island, NY
On Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 4:00 pm, World Boxing Association Super Welterweight Champion Yuri Foreman ran a boxing clinic for participants of the NY Police Boxing Program for Kids at Demarco’s Gym, 101 Ellis Street, Staten Island, NY.
While Yuri Foreman has his mind set on his title defending battle against Miguel Cotto next month, on Tuesday, Foreman took a break from his rigorous training to give 35 young boxers some personal trainer tips and pointers. The master class organized in collaboration with the Israeli Consulate in NY and the NY Police Boxing Program for Kids was intended to expose the amateur boxers to the challenges of the professional world.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to team up with the representatives of my homeland and give back to the community. I started boxing at a very young age and it taught me discipline and respect” says Foreman,” boxing is not just throwing punches in the air, it’s about staying focused mentally. I believe that through boxing these children will become not only stronger but smarter.
“We’re glad to join Yuri Foreman once again in giving back to the people of New York. Yuri has taught us that being a world champion isn’t just a title but a responsibility. And that a true winner uses his influence to make a change in the lives of others,” stated Joel Lion, Consul for Media at the Israeli Consulate.
“The Atas Foundation/NYC Cops & Kids Boxing program is honored to have Yuri Foreman speak to our boxers and provide them with a boxing clinic in Staten Island. Yuri is the perfect role model for our young boxers. Graduating from college, hard working and always a gentleman. A true champion inside the ring and out,” said Pat Russo of NY Police Boxing Program for Kids.
This is the second time that Foreman teams up with the Consulate General of Israel in New York. During Thanksgiving Foreman and the Israeli Consulate handed out close to 1,000 turkeys to families in need, today this partnership is focused once again on giving back: “We’re glad to join Yuri Foreman once again in giving back to the people of New York. Yuri has taught us that being a world champion isn’t just a title but a responsibility. And that a true winner uses his influence to make a change in the lives of others”. Stated Joel Lion, Consul for media at the Israeli Consulate.
The NYC Cops & Kids Boxing program was created in partnership with the Teddy Atlas Foundation. The program currently trains more than a hundred children in three locations in Staten Island and Brooklyn. The program has won the NY Daily News Golden Gloves for two consecutive years and its participants also won three numerous individual awards.