LAS VEGAS -- At the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Brooklyn resident Yuri Foreman had an opportunity to make history. And that's exactly what he did.
A rabbinical student who was born in Gomel, Belarus, the 29-year-old Foreman decisioned Daniel Santos to move to a record of 28-0 and take his WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) crown.
By winning the belt, Foreman became the first Israeli to win a world boxing title, not to mention the first soon-to-be Rabbi to do so. It also ends a three-fight winning streak by Santos, who is 34.
Foreman would not fight on the Sabbath due to his faith, so he took the ring around 6:30 on Saturday night. From then on, he was in command the majority of the fight that lasted a full 12 rounds.
FanHouse caught up with Foreman before the fight.
FanHouse: Is it true that your name, in English translation, is 'George,' and that you are 'George Foreman?'
Foreman: 'George,' man. I learned it about a year ago. I went to Google it because I wanted to know what the meaning of Yuri was. I remember that my mom told me that she named me after a man named Yuri Gagarin, a man who flew into space.
I was like, 'George?' That's the answer? I wanted some long, nice explanation. But yes, it is 'George.' That's the meaning of my name.
FH: Do you feel that since your name is 'George Foreman,' you were destined or -- in Yiddish -- that you were 'bashered' to become a boxer?
Foreman: 'Bashered' means destiny, yes. Like there was no control. I used to hear it a lot when people got married, and they would say, 'This is my bashered,' your bride, the one for you.
FH: How do you summarize this big event in your life?
Foreman: I have a big fantasy about it. Actually winning it. But I'm not allowing myself to indulge in that right now. Right now, I'm fighting for the world title.
The objective is to win. Each fight, I was regarding as a step to the main goal. It's like, 'Wow, finally.'
FH: Do you have a sense concerning how much of a celebrity you have become in Israel?
Foreman: I prefer not to think about that part. I am not interested in celebrity. But I realize how much it means. It's a huge part of it. I'm a Jew. For me to fight for my country is a great honor.
FH: Have you dreamed about what it would be like to take title fight to Israel?
Foreman: It would be great. I've actually thought about what it would be to fight in Jerusalem. It would be huge. It would be awesome. But we're not in Jerusalem now, we're in Las Vegas.
Speaking of that, they should make one of the hotels a 'Jerusalem.' They have the New York, New York, they have the Paris. Why not 'The Jerusalem,' or, 'The Middle East,' and with a kosher menu.
FH: How do you believe that the whole clash of violence versus peace is being rectified by the Jewish fans who follow you?
Foreman: You know, I pray -- and I'm sure many people do -- about that. It's a very tough situation. I'm not a politician, so I'm not going to get into that.
FH: Have you thought about the potential of building a groundswell of support such as that of Manny Pacquiao from his Filipino followers?
Foreman: I've never considered that, but now that it's coming closer and closer to a big fight, it's coming to that realization. There is a lot of responsibility with that as an athlete representing your country.
For example, Muhammad Ali was a great, great, great boxer and a great human being. For me, I've never envisioned that kind of following. But if it happens, I'll definitely take responsibility.
FH: Do you see any evidence or elements of that sort of thing happening?
Foreman: I think so. In Israel, there is a Russian community, there is a Jewish native community, and the Israeli people and the Arab community.
When I was there and boxing, I was training with the Arab people. Believe me, I am getting so many phone calls for this fight. I was on Facebook and there is a friend of mine in The Gaza Strip. He was praying for me and everything.
There is so much support. He's praying for me. It's very touching, because there are differences. He is from Gaza, I am from the other side. It's very powerful.
FH: Would you ever consider fighting on the sabbath?
Foreman: That's when you take a rest. I will not do it. The sabbath this weekend ends on Saturday at around 5:29 p.m. or something, and my fight is going to be at around 6:30.
FH: Do you have any sports heroes in Israel and, if so, what are their accomplishments in your mind, athletically and spiritually?
Foreman: Athletes, hmm. When I started boxing, I was always thinking how in other countries -- Russia, the United States -- they always had world champions it seemed in every gym.
So there was someone right there to look up to. To tell you the truth, when I was training, I felt like I was sort of pioneering in boxing. I don't want to take any credit, but I just felt like that.
I was always watching the American fighters -- Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier. In the beginning, they were my heroes that I wanted to be like. I wanted to be a fighter like them.
There was no boxing in Israel, and if it was, it was at a very low level.
FH: What can you tell me about your fight with Daniel Santos?
Foreman: He's a great fighter. Three-time world champion. He has great amateur experience, and he's a southpaw. He's beaten some big names as a professional. Tough opponent.
But I knew that, and if you're going to fight for a world title, if you want to be the best, you have got to beat the best.
FH: Have you been able to emulate his style adequately in sparring?
Foreman: I had a good sparring partner in Dennis Douglin, and he gave me good work. I know that I'm ready and we'll see.
