Yuri’s on comeback trail

BOXING YURI Foreman — the first Jewish boxer to win a world title — is making a comeback after two years out of the ring.

The35-year-oldformerWBAlight-middleweightchampionwillreturn,against an opponent still to be named, at the Barclays Centre in his home neighbourhood of Brooklyn on December 5.

It will be his first fight since knocking out Jovany Javier Gomez in the first round at Hollywood’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in 2013.

Foreman,whohadlosthisWBAbeltto Miguel Cotto, was closing in on another title shot when he suddenly pulled out of a clash with Jorge Melendez in June 2014 and announced his retirement.

At the time he told his fans through Facebook he had “signed a very harmful contract regarding my boxing career. I tried all possible ways to free myself from it, but nothing else I can do than announce my retirement. So from now I’m on to bigger and better things.”

During his time away from boxing, Belarus-born Foreman, who beat Puerto Rico’s Daniel Santos in November 2009 to win his world title, has completed his studies to become a rabbi.

But he sees no conflict between that and fighting again.

“Boxing is a very spiritual sport,” he said. “We all have different paths. My faith keeps me centred and focused.

“Youcanbeanyone.Youcanbearabbi and still be fighting on the big stage at Barclays Centre.”

He added: “I’ve been working hard since June and putting in a lot of hours in the gym. In terms of preparation, I’m always trying to push myself. When I get tired, I want to push myself even harder.”