Rabbi-to-be is a punching preacher
Yuri Foreman, 29, is World Boxing Association's newest champion. When he's not throwing punches in the ring he's hitting the books by training to become a rabbi
The 29-year-old rabbi-to-be is the World Boxing Association's newest champion and when he's not throwing punches in the ring he's hitting the books by training to become a rabbi.
"I am able to balance both my fighting and my studies to become a rabbi," said Foreman, who made boxing history on Saturday by becoming the first Israeli to win a world championship title.
Fighting on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight, Foreman claimed the WBA super welterweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Puerto Rico's Daniel Santos.
Rabbi-to-be Foreman celebrating win (Photo: AFP)
Wearing his trademark Star of David shorts, Foreman won his 28th consecutive fight with no losses. He also has eight knockouts.
"I'm very proud to do this for Israel, and for Brooklyn, and to show that Jews can fight," Foreman said.
Foreman outboxed former champion Santos throughout the fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and casino, knocking his opponent down twice including once in the final round which helped clinch victory on all three judges' scorecards.
Transcending differences between Arabs, Jews
Foreman was born in Belarus, raised in Israel but now lives in New York.
When he was just 11 years old his family immigrated to Haifa, Israel, where he wanted to continue the boxing training that he had started in Belarus.
Foreman says he first took up the sport after being bullied at a community swimming pool.
"I had my first taste of boxing in Belarus when I was seven," he says. "In the Soviet Union, every child had to do some kind of physical activity."
In Haifa there weren't many places to box so he had to train in a Palestinian gym.
At first it was difficult and he had to earn the trust of his wary, fellow fighters.
"Boxing transcends the differences between the Arab nations and Jewish nation," Foreman says.
"By the end of a workout, everyone forgets whether you are an Arab or a Jew. I had a lot of friends there."
Foreman is set to complete his studies and become ordained in 12 months. His plan is to return to Israel and take on the role of community rabbi combined with overseas trips to defend his world title belt.
