The comeback of former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman continues Tuesday night, November 12, 2013 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Foreman (31-2, 8 KOs), rated No. 14 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), takes on Mexican invader Javier “Pelon’ Gomez (14-11, 10 KOs) in the eight-round co-feature on “Knockout Night at the Hard Rock Live,” presented by Mo Productions.
Nearly four years ago to the day (Nov. 14, 2009) of his upcoming fight, the 33-year-old Foreman dropped Daniel Santos (32-3-1) twice en route to a win by unanimous 12-round decision (117-109 twice, 116-110), to capture the WBA 154-pound title and become one of the few modern-day Jewish world champions.
In 2010, Foreman lost his first title defense to the great Miguel Cotto by ninth-round technical knockout at Yankee Stadium, followed nine-months later by a loss in Las Vegas to New York City rival Pawel Wolak, when Foreman was unable to continue fighting after six rounds.
A consummate boxer whose leg strength is critical, Foreman suffered a knee injury that eventually required surgery, which contributed to his only two losses as a professional. Foreman was out of the ring for nearly two years, returning to win three consecutive decisions over Brandon Baue (DE6), Gundrick King (DEC6) and Jamaal Davis (DEC8) this past July.
“After two years of inactivity,” Foreman explained, “I decided not to rush, taking my time to gradually build myself up to be better than I was before. November 12th is an eight-round fight and, God willing, it will be very successful. Then, it’ll be a 10-rounder and after that, hopefully, I will be positioned once again for a world title fight.”
An aspiring rabbi, Foreman was born in Belarus, moved to Israel, and resides in Brooklyn, New York. He has taken an obvious liking to South Florida.
“This fight is a great opportunity for me in terms of the location,” Foreman said. “South Florida has one of the largest Jewish communities in the US, so it’s important for me to fight there and win impressively. I recently visited South Florida to promote my November 12th fight and, I must say, the Jewish community was very supportive. I want to put on a great fight for them.”
The 10-round main event showcases Michael “The Brazilian” Rocky” Oliveira (21-1, 16 KOs), rated No. 7 by the WBC and No. 11 by the WBA, against former Mexican welterweight champion Noberto “Demonio” Gonzalez (19-2, 13 KOs).
Hall of Famer Julio Cesar Chavez has confirmed that he will be attending “Knockout Night at the Hard Rock Live” to closely watch Michael Oliveira in action. The retired six-time, three-division world champion is the father of professional boxers Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and Omar Chavez, who is a potential opponent for Oliveira in 2014.
“Knockout Night at the Hard Rock Live,” presented by MO Productions, will air live on SporTV, a Brazilian Sports television broadcaster affiliate to TV Globo Network, and TNC in Argentina.
