Yuri Foreman’s Yankee Stadium Shabbos Foiled

By Josh Nathan-Kazis April 12, 2010

At a press conference last week, Jewish boxing phenom Yuri Foreman discussed plans for his upcoming championship bout against three-time world titleholder Miguel Cotto.

The bout, to be held at Yankee Stadium, is scheduled for Saturday night, June 5, to accommodate Foreman’s observance of the Sabbath. Foreman, who studies part-time at a Yeshiva, will spend Shabbat at a Manhattan hotel before being escorted to the fight by police.

According to fight promoter Bob Arum, Foreman and Cotto will each be asked to select a singer to perform the national anthem of their home country. Foreman, a Russian Jew, will select a singer from Israel to sing “Hatikvah.”

Watch Jewish boxer Yuri Foreman talk about how he will spend Shabbat on the day of his championship fight.

Josh Nathan-Kazis is a staff writer for the Forward. He covers charities and politics, and writes investigations and longform.

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