“It’s a mental, physical challenge fighting someone like Andrey Tsurkan,” said world-rated Yuri Foreman today in New York. He and Tsurkan, a strong, brawling, hard-hitting NABF super welterweight champion, fight Thursday night at the Paradise Theatre in the Bronx, N.Y. The fight card will be broadcast live on the VERSUS Network.

“Tsurkan is tough, very strong, likes to put pressure on early,” said Foreman, 23-0. “I will have to withstand all of it, keep my composure and focus, keep both hands up, control the center of the ring.”

Ringside seating is sold out and a big crowd is expected to pack the historic Paradise Theatre.

“I’m going to feint, have head and foot movement and pow - he is going to feel my punches,” Foreman said. “I will win, then hopefully get an opportunity to fight for a world title.”

Foreman lives and trains in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tsurkan fights out of the Bronx, N.Y.

Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Star Boxing, is promoting.