Rabbi no novelty act on MGM undercard

Rabbis, by nature, are peaceful people. They deal in the spiritual side of life and usually settle arguments with their brains, not their fists.

Yuri Foreman hopes to become the first rabbi world champion boxer, as the super welterweight from Brooklyn, N.Y., fights Daniel Santos for the WBA title Saturday as part of the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden.

"It would be a dream come true," said Foreman, 27-0 with eight knockouts. "That's why I got into boxing -- to win a world's title."

Foreman, 29, was born in Belarus, immigrated to Israel when he was 11, found himself as the only Jew boxing in a gym with Arabs, then eventually moved to the United States when he was 19, settling in Brooklyn, where his boxing career has flourished.

"I love being in (the USA)," Foreman said. "In Belarus, I was looked at as a Jew. In Israel, I was a Russian. Here, I'm just another guy.

"In America, they don't care where you came from. People appreciate you for who you are."

Foreman admitted he was uncomfortable at first training with Arab boxers. But eventually he found a common ground with them, and many of them became friends with Foreman and closely follow his career.

"Boxing, like most sports, can overcome differences in people," he said. "When you train with them, you find they're people, just like us."

He wasn't religious. But one day, he and his wife were in a synagogue, and the rabbi was preaching about good vs. evil and how the eternal struggle was similar to a boxing match. Foreman introduced himself to the rabbi afterward and told him he was a boxer.

Before he knew it, he was studying the Talmud, Judaism's how-to guide, became strictly observant and began his journey toward becoming a rabbi.

"It helps me with my boxing," he said of his studying. "There are physical and mental challenges trying to study for the rabbinical and training to fight. But both require a lot of concentration, and I try to carry the same attention into my training in the gym that I do when I study."

Foreman is looking to be the first Jewish world champion since Mike Rossman won the WBA light heavyweight title in 1978. More important, it would reward years of hard work and dedication.

"It's my toughest challenge yet," he said of facing Santos, 32-3-1 with 23 knockouts. "He's a three-time world champion. He has experience. But I believe in my abilities. I'm not really concerned what people say or think.

"I know what I can do, and I've trained very hard for this fight. I'll be ready to give my best."

• LATEST ODDS -- With less than a week to go before they enter the ring, Pacquiao is a big betting favorite at the MGM Mirage sports books. He is minus-350, and Cotto is plus-270.

The proposition bet on whether the fight goes 10 full rounds has the won't go favored at minus-135, with the will go at plus-115.

At Station Casinos, Pacquiao is minus-330, with Cotto at plus-250. Station has a nine-round prop bet that is pick 'em at minus-110 either way.

• ANTHEM SINGERS -- The trio La Diva will sing the national anthem of the Philippines at the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. And their performance will be scrutinized in the wake of Martin Nievera's rendition of "Lupang Hinirang" when Pacquiao fought Ricky Hatton in May.

Nievera apparently didn't sing the song properly and, according to the national Historical Institute, violated Filipino law, which states the rendition of the national anthem should be in accordance with the original musical arrangement. Nievera apparently sang the first part of "Lupang Hinirang" too slowly.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.