Moore to fight Foreman for NABF Title

LIGHT middleweight James Moore's right hand ligament injury is healing well, and the Co. Wicklow native will be back in action before Christmas in the biggest fight of his career to date.

"There is talk of me of me fighting Yuri Foreman on December 13 in Atlantic City for the NABF light middleweight title." Moore, 16-1, told the Irish Voice Monday before the fight was confirmed.

The fight, which is the co-main event on the undercard of the Top Rank-promoted rubber match between Kendall Holt and Ricardo Torres, will see Moore take on the Belarus-born 28-year-old who fights out of Brooklyn.

Foreman, who grew up in Israel and is studying to be a rabbi, has a 26-0 record and is a highly touted prospect, but Moore is looking forward to the challenge.

"He is ranked in the top eight of all four organizations, and he is ranked number four in the WBA. If I could come out the winner it would put me right up there for a title shot," continued Moore, adding that this fight is a win-win situation for his career as it is an opportunity to show he can compete with a fighter of Foreman's caliber.

"I have done a lot of sparring with him and I would be confident going into the fight. If the contract is right for this fight then I will be heading to Vegas for camp next week for six weeks."

Moore and trainer Lennox Blackmoore chose Las Vegas for the warmer climate and wider range of sparring partners.

The 30-year-old, out of the ring since injuring his hand in August, has never left the gym and has been keeping in shape and improving his jab. Moore has been working with Blackmoore on his movement, shadow boxing and is doing a lot of roadwork. He will have another MRI to confirm all is well on the right hand and if so, will ease back in to work with wearing bigger gloves.

Also on the agenda for Moore is a possible grudge rematch with Co. Mayo native Henry Coyle, this time in the paid ranks. The two enjoy a healthy disdain for each other since their amateur days when Coyle beat Moore for the 2004 Irish senior title. Both have been talking up the fight to press in recent weeks.

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Nster.com