By Marc Brodsky & Gil Shefler, JTA
NEW YORK — Yuri Foreman used his time wisely between rounds of his super welterweight world championship bout against titleholder Daniel Santos.
Not only did he take liquids and instruction from his corner, the Orthodox rabbinical student sought some divine assistance in the last 10 seconds of each 60-second break of the 12-rounder.
G-d, please give me strength, was his simple invocation.
Foreman related the tidbit at a Nov. 19 reception at a posh kosher steakhouse on New Yorks East Side.
The night before he was the guest of honor at a Jewish National Fund gala.
Think of it as an ethnic-themed victory lap for Foreman, 29, who found enough strength to win a unanimous decision on the night of Nov. 14 in Las Vegas for the World Boxing Association crown.
The Brooklyn boxer, via Belarus and then Israel, moved to 28-0 since turning pro seven years ago, even though most prognosticators figured he would fall to Santos.
At the reception, Foreman said he turns especially spiritual in the ring, gets very close to G-d, because another guy wants to take your head off.
Santos didnt take off Foremans head, but the new champ, clad all in black for the Prime Grill fete featuring some sumptuous steak and chicken, did need 18 stitches (of course it was 18) to close a cut over his left eye.
Foremans spiritual mentor, Rabbi DovBer Pinson, said no other fighter can balance spirituality and physicality like Foreman, who he praised as a gentle lion breaking a lot of stereotypes about boxers and Jews.
WHATS next for Foreman?
The fighter said hed have to consult with his second rabbi and promoter, Top Ranks Bob Arum.
Foreman asked to know the veteran matchmakers Hebrew name.
Reuven Moshe ben Shlomo, Arum answered.
Should Foreman ever fight in Israel, Arum already has the bout named: Next Year in Jerusalem.
Attendees at the JNFutures third annual gala event didnt have to wait that long to hang out with the new champ.
Foreman was the guest of honor at the event, held at a club in New Yorks Soho district.
Organizers of the gathering, aimed at raising money for environmental causes in Israel, had booked Foreman well in advance of his title fight and were thrilled to have him there on one of his first public appearances since his victory in Vegas.
Its amazing to have him here, said Gabrielle Carlan, one of the JNFuture promoters. Weve got a good turnout of 200-plus people, more than we had last year.
Foremans wife, Leyla, told JTA at the event that she remained unusually calm during her husbands fight.
Most fights Im very tense, the Hungrian-born former model said. But this time I had a good feeling.
He had done all the training and all the praying right. What more could he do?
Now eyes are on another observant Orthodox Jewish boxer with a shot at claiming a world champion boxing title, as Brooklyns Dmitriy Salita prepares to square off against champion Amir Khan in London on Dec. 3.