When Yuri Foreman beat Daniel Santos in Las Vegas in November, it was big news because it made Foreman the first Israeli in history to win a professional boxing crown. And now promoter Bob Arum is trying to line up a big venue for Foreman's anticipated title defense in June against former welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.
The June 12 fight is scheduled for Madison Square Garden but Arum is hoping to move it to Yankee Stadium, according to Team Foreman. Scheduling difficulties would force the date of the fight to move mainly because the other world champions who compete at the Stadium, the New York Yankees, are home for much of the month. But there are two Saturdays -- June 5, when the Yankees will play in Toronto, and June 26, when they'll play at Dodger Stadium -- that are open.
"The magnitude of this event cannot be overestimated," said Foreman's publicist, Dovid Efune. ""It may be the biggest Jewish sporting event of all time. Definitely since David fought Goliath."
Foreman (28-0, 8 knockouts) was only less excited.
"I know the Jewish community in New York is very excited about this," he said. "And I am very excited."
Cotto (34-2, 27 KO) will be stepping up in weight, to 154 pounds, to fight for Foreman's junior middleweight. Cotto has lost two of last four fights.
The last world championship boxing match to be held in Yankee Stadium was in September 1976 when Muhammad Ali successfully defended his heavyweight title against Ken Norton at the old Yankee Stadium.
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
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