Yuri Foreman by Howard Schatz. ©Schatz Ornstein 2008
Sports and politics frequently intersect. Boxing’s best example was Mohammed Ali – now essentially a cherished Saint to many because of how he represented hopes and aspirations of fellow countrymen and world citizens. Tonight’s debut fight at Yankee Stadium is no different. Rabbi in training Yuri Foreman against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto have been cast in a venue meant for attention. The boxing titans want to showcase the fighters and the tradition of marquee people in marquee places. Foreman’s presence has the potential of carrying the awareness of the diaspora now involved in a 2 state solution. Cotto just wants to win. Others involved in the sport currently, most notably, Manny Pacquiao, have extended their ring training to the civil world. The art of promotion is at play in boxing – and it’s symbolic reach may touch us sooner than we could have expected.
