Yuri Foreman Elected to New York State Boxing HOF

Rabbi Yuri Foreman has been elected to the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026. The native of the Soviet Union went 35-4 with 10 KOs during his professional career, which lasted from 2002-2021.

Foreman began his career 28-0 and won the WBA junior middleweight world championship with a decisive victory over Daniel Santos on November 14, 2009. To that point, he also had wins over quality opponents Jesus Soto Karass, Anthony Thompson, Andriy Tsurkan, Saul Roman, and Jamie Moore. The win over Tsurkan garnered him the NABF title. A headbutt prematurely stopped a fight against future world champion Cornelius Bundrage when Yuri was ahead on the cards.

Foreman's defining fight came on June 5, 2010 at Yankee Stadium against future IBHOF inductee Miguel Cotto. Foreman's stock grew immensely in the loss. He tore his meniscus, but continued to fight on until his corner threw in the towel. Inexplicable, the fight continued and Foreman was eventually stopped in the ninth round.

He rushed back into the ring too quickly and came up flat against Pawel Wolak nine months later. The second half of his career was hampered by long layoffs and managerial trouble with a loss to Erislandy Lara mixed in.

Foreman was the best Jewish fighter of his generation, a living example that Jewish boxing persists.

Respected boxing judge Steve Weisfeld has also been elected to the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. Weisfeld, a native of New Jersey, started his career in 1991 and is still an active judge. He even rendered his verdict in four of Foreman's fights, not including the Cotto fight, which ended before Weisfeld's card mattered.

The induction ceremony will take place on April 19.