New York-based Irishman James Moore Has A Lot To Be Thankful for

Junior middleweight James Moore, 16-1 (10 KOS), a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights out of Queens, New York, is far from home as he trains at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles for his December 13 challenge of NABF junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman, 26-0 (8 KOS).

The 10-round bout, which will take place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, is part of a Top Rank-promoted show that is being headlined by the rubber match between WBO junior welterweight champion Kendall Holt, 24-2 (13 KOS), of Paterson, New Jersey, and former titlist Ricardo Torres, 32-2 (28 KOS), of Colombia.

Although the 30-year-old Moore, a veteran of 314 amateur bouts, says he misses his wife Leanne and their friends and family terribly, he is thrilled to be training for what he considers the biggest fight of his life.

"No doubt, this is it," said Moore. "This is the fight where I get to show the fans, as well as the television executives, what I'm capable of. I've been eager to have such a high profile fight for a long time. The fact that it is coming in the midst of holiday season makes it even more special to me."

Moore realizes that a victory over Foreman will bring him one step closer to the world title that he has coveted for so long.

"The life of a boxer is a lonely one, but that is the life I chose," said Moore. "All of the hours of preparation are worth it when it ends with a victory. I plan on being victorious in December, and then having a blowout year in 2009. When I think of the possibilities that lie ahead, I realize how much I have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving."

A large contingent of the enormously popular Moore's enthusiastic fans is expected to make the trek to see the fight live. Tickets can be purchased in the New York area at Bar 43, 43-06 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104, phone 718-361-3090; the Fiddlers Pub, 52-75 65th Street, Maspeth, NY 11378; or through Moore's adviser Barney Moore (no relation), phone 917-559-8467.

Tickets, which range from $200 to $50, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-736-1420. They can also be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

CONTACT for James Moore: Bob Mladinich, Premier Strategies & Communications, LLC, phone 917-204-5916; e-mail: Robert@premierstrat.com