Yuri Foreman Out-Boxes James Moore;
Plus Undercard Results

By Tim Donaldson
Photos: "Sugar" Ray Bailey

Yuri Foreman of Belarus fought James Moore of Ireland in the co-feature from Atlantic City, Saturday night in a fight that started with all the spectacle of two great fighters meeting to battle for supremacy. Moore’s fans sang and chanted as he marched in behind the Irish flag. Foreman’s fans were no less silent when he entered although the boos of Moore’s fans could be heard. Foreman looked like he meant to do business as he entered the ring, shadowboxing and jumping up and down as the announcement of the fighters were made.

From the beginning, it seemed obvious that Foreman would have little trouble defending his NABF Super Welterweight title. Moore showed heart throughout the fight, but he had trouble with Foreman’s style. It was Foreman’s superior skills that led to his victory over Moore.

The most notable thing about Foreman is his footwork. Foreman was able to move back and forth, never losing balance and looking very controlled, to keep Moore from being able to land any significant punches. Moore looked much slower in the ring and had trouble catching Foreman. Foreman, by contrast, landed several good combinations, especially early in the fight. And unlike many fighters who concentrate on one area of the body at a time, Foreman attacked all of Moore. He would throw a left-right combination to the body and follow it up with a punch to the head.

Foreman employed his footwork throughout the fight. One would expect to see him slow down as the fight progressed, but Foreman slowed very little. When Moore did catch Foreman, Foreman would employ some defense. If he could not get away, he would hold Moore to stop his attack. After being separated, Foreman could go back to his footwork and once again regain the advantage. By the ninth round, Foreman cut under the right eye of Moore. But it wasn’t really needed; Foreman had already proved he was the better boxer. The only round that he did not look as good was the tenth, the only round he lost according to two of the judges, as he simply moved around the ring, and at one point actually ran from Moore. Foreman won the fight by unanimous decision.


A couple of noteworthy boxers fought on the night’s undercard. The first was Light Welterweight Omar Chavez, youngest son of Julio Cesar Chavez. He quickly ended his fight against Brian Carden of Missouri 1 minute 50 seconds into the first round. Carden never gave much of a fight, spending the last few seconds running backward trying to avoid Chavez’s punches. Another fighter worth mentioning was Russian Olympian and Super Middleweight Matt Korobov. Korobov also made quick work of his opponent Jason Wahr. Korobov knocked Wahr down three times in the first round, the last by a left hook to the head. The round was over in 2 minutes 52 seconds.


Other results from the undercard. Heavyweight Alex Mejias defeated Michael Rhodes in 1 minute 23 seconds in the fifth round.. Super Welterweight Glen Tapia won is pro debut against Edward Smith, knocking him down three time in the second round. Qa’id Muhammad defeated Super Welterweight Julio Valadez by knock out in the third. And Bantamweight Jorge Diaz defeated Saul Gutierrez in a fight that went to the judges score cards. Gutierrez’s performance was much better than his record would lead one to believe 6-13-2. Gutierrez stayed right in there with Diaz but lost the fight because he failed to throw enough punches.