Jerry Glick reporting: The rich grass of the Yankees’ playing field in the background almost glowed. Those involved in the fight who sat facing the throng of reporters were so happy that this fight is happening that they almost shined as much as the lush greenery of the infield. Both competitors looked eager as did their teams. Both saw the storied Stadium as their field of dreams.
The Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto fight will be a series of firsts; for Cotto, 34-2 (27 KOs), it will mark his first foray into the 154 pound class and his third weight division. For Foreman, 28-0 (8 KOs, 1 N/C), it is his first defense of the crown he took off of Daniel Santos’ head back in November of 2009. It will be the first time either man has fought outdoors. It is also the first world title fight to be held at the new Yankee Stadium. It is also the first such fight since Muhammad Ali successfully defended his heavyweight title against Ken Norton on September 28th, 1976 in the House That Ruth Built currently being torn down across the street. Bob Arum promoted that fight.
Arum, and his Top Rank Promotions, started the drums beating for his June 5th WBA World Junior-Middleweight Title fight between Champion Yuri Foreman and Challenger Miguel Cotto.
This was a different type of press conference than the one that we in the boxing media often experience. This was a meeting of two true athletes who will save their bad intention for the ring. Even Foreman’s manager admitted when he spoke from the podium that he is a Cotto fan.
“I want to say to Miguel,” said the owner of New York’s Campagnola’s restaurant and boxing impresario, Murray Wilson. “In five years this will be the first time that I haven’t rooted for you because you are one of my favorite fighters.”
No needless bravado. No nasty face offs that lead to a tussle on the ground. No threats, nor betrayals; just two skilled boxers, one who fights with a planned aggression, and the other who moves gracefully around the ring.
YURI FOREMAN-Titles
“It’s not the goal to hold three of them,” explained the first Israeli to hold a world boxing title. “It’s really the ultimate good, but it’s who you fought to get it.”
He arrived in the US to make his mark in boxing at the tender age of nineteen, “I came here, I was nineteen, now I’m twenty-nine. So I would have liked to have done this a couple of years earlier but its great timing, I think, and I’m happy right now. I’m living the American dream.”
Yuri will enjoy a four inch height advantage, and he says that he will use it.
“My size, I will use it by being myself, the way I box, and the way I do things in the ring.”
That Manny Steward decided to train Cotto rather than him, Foreman is unconcerned. He has complete confidence in his team which includes trainer Joe Grear, and strength trainer Kwanza Cosby.
The two tough defeats that Cotto has suffered will not be on the Champion’s mind.
“I not thinking what he’s going to looking like,” said Foreman. “I’m preparing for Miguel Cotto at his best.”
Yuri, as most people know, is an Orthodox Jew studying to be a Rabbi. The fight will take place on a Saturday night. He is not permitted by the rules of Judaism to travel on the Sabbath, which for Jews is Saturday. He must arrange to spend “Shabbat” at or near the stadium.
“I’m actually having Shabbat over at Yankee Stadium,” he enthused. “I love the idea! Who has ever stayed here for Shabbat? A Shabbat to remember, I just learn that now, that I am actually going to stay at a 96th Street hotel, then we will have a police escort right after the Sabbath (at sundown Saturday night) which is going to go swinging back to the Yankees.”
MIGUEL COTTO-weight
“I make 147 pretty good, like always,” said former two division champion Cotto. “But you know that boxing is a business and the best things that we do in our careers we go for that.”
Cotto said that he does not dwell on his losses. He has had two brutal knockout defeats at the hands of two of the best out there; first via a eleventh round stoppage to Antonio Margarito in July of 2008, and in his last fight, by a twelfth round TKO to Manny Pacquiao in November of 2009.
“Pacquiao is in my past,” said Cotto. “This is a new chapter in my career and we will take it with the same responsibility, like always.” He added that this fight is another opportunity for him.
Manny Steward has come on board Cotto’s team after talks broke down with Foreman’s people to hire him. Fact is Stewart has said in the past that he likes to train tall fighters and his history bares that out. He has worked with Tommy Hearns, Lennox Lewis, and now Wladimir Klitschko to name a few. What will that mean to Cotto?
“With his experience and his knowledge in boxing,” explained Cotto. “He’s going to bring a lot for us.”
And what about Steward’s preference to train taller men? “Well he doesn’t do that this time, I’m not tall.”
Cotto, who will train in Tampa, Florida, can again expect to hear his followers cheering en mass at a priced friendly Stadium. Cotto admits that he does in fact garner energy from his fans.
“It’s good having people cheer for you and support you,” said Cotto. “They bring you extra energy.”
PUNCHLINES
YANKEE STADIUM
Fighting in Yankee Stadium has an even bigger lure attached to it than Madison Square Garden. Many big fights have taken place on Eighth Avenue, but only a select few have been fought in a New York ball field. As Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost reminded everyone at the press conference this venue has a rich history. He said that there have been, “Forty-six nights of boxing, and 30 championship fights.” He listed some the names of the great Yankees of the last century and mindful of why he was there on this day he listed the names of many of the great boxers who have plied their trade in the Stadium; Gene Tunney, Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Rocky Graziano, Tony Zale, Jack Sharkey, Jimmy Braddock, Jack Dempsey, Archie Moore, Two Ton Tony Galento, Floyd Patterson, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Carmen Basilio. He made special note of the Ali-Norton III fight and the Louis-Schmeling II fight.
With this in mind both Foreman and Cotto are aware of the magnitude of performing at this venue.
MELTING POT BOXING
“New York always has been an example of how a melting pot works,” said the Top Rank head honcho. “How we have people from different ethnic groups that blend together to give this city its great vitality. In recognition of that on this card we will have fighters from every ethnic group.”
LIFE OF A CHAMPION
“It’s the same (as before winning the belt),” said Foreman. “Your wife tells you to take out the garbage. It’s the same thing, I take the subway and I ride my bike to the gym.”
The only difference is the wide smile on his face.
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