January, 1999 (New York, USA) My family and I arrived in JFK. I had to start from nothing - new job, new apartment, and lots of new bills to pay. At this time, I decided to forget about everything I did in Russia, Israel and in the international arena. First I wanted to make amateur champions in this country, and then think about a pro coaching career. It is much more difficult to develop a boxer from the beginning, than it is to take a ready boxer and turn him pro. Even though it is not my country, I set out to make amateur champions. In the summer of 1999 Yuri Foreman moved from Israel to America. He lived with me as part of my family in Brooklyn. Me, my wife, my two daughters (Valerie- 5 yrs old, Diana 12 yrs old) and Yuri all shared a one bedroom apartment.

Yuri Foreman with My two daughters- Valerie and Diana. Yuri Foreman with My two daughters- Valerie and Diana.

I immediately started training Yuri in Gleasons Gym for the upcoming World Championships in Houston, TX, USA. At this tournament, we got a bad draw. Yuri's first bout was against Larry Mosley, two time USA Champion with more than 200 amateur fights. Yuri, at this time, only had 34 fights. We lost 8-5. September 1999, American female boxer, Jill Emery came to me and asked me to teach her what I taught Yuri. She wanted to learn my style of boxing.

April, 2000 (Midland, TX, USA) my First USA National Champion, Jill Emery, 156 lb (71 kg)

Jill Emery- USA Champion Jill Emery- USA Champion