You can cross Yuri Foreman off the list of potential future opponents for Boxing’s pound-for-pound champion. Manny Pacquiao has recently come out, through his promoter Bob Arum, and cited a height disadvantage as the reason for not fighting the ‘Rabbi of Boxing’ Yuri Foreman.
“I don’t think Manny would fight Yuri Foreman because he says Yuri is too tall” Bob Arum, Boxingscene.com
Yuri Foreman is listed anywhere from 5’11 to 6’0 and has a reach of 72″. Both would provide a big advantage for Yuri in a fight with Pacquiao. Manny is listed anywhere from 5’6 to 5′ 6 1/2 with a reach of 67″. Let’s not overlook the fact that Foreman is a good boxer too. Even if they were closer in height, Foreman has the boxing skills to give him some kind of chance against Pacquiao or even Floyd Mayweather Jr.
But if you ask Yuri about the height and reach advantage, he would respectfully disagree with the argument. In a previous interview with Boxingscene.com, Yuri compared his measurements to Oscar De La Hoya and Joshua Clottey:
“When the whole Mayweather thing was going on, Freddie Roach said we want to fight Yuri. But then when it comes up, they really don?t want to fight. I?m 5′11 and Oscar De La Hoya is 5′11. The same dimensions. And if they are worried about my weight, Clottey who is going to fight Pacquiao, will probably be much heavier than me when he comes to fight Pacquiao,? Foreman, Boxingscene.
Oscar de La Hoya was listed at 5’10 to 5’11 and a reach of 73″ for his fight with Manny. Clottey was said to have come into the ring at about 10 to 15 pounds heavier than Manny.
Now don’t take these previous comments as a sign of disrespect because Yuri has been very respectful of Manny Pacquiao. Foreman has mentioned several times how he thinks Manny is the best fighter on the planet and how it’s an honor to be considered as a potential opponent.
?And Pacquiao, listen, is such a great fighter in my eyes. Really, he’s pretty much the pound-for-pound best. And that’s a great compliment when it’s coming from him that he’s considering me as a fighter or an opponent. That’s a great honor? Yuri Foreman, Fanhouse
Bob Arum So, these latest comments by Bob Arum are a direct contradiction to what he has said before. Previously, Bob Arum has gone on record stating that Manny Pacquiao would fight the winner of Yuri Foreman vs. Miguel Cotto. Apparently, that’s changed and should be modified to say that Manny Pacquiao will only fight Miguel Cotto if he wins the fight.
