Khan set for Salita test

WBA champion lines up first defence of his crown

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 7th October 2009  

Khan set for Salita test

Khan: Set to defend title

Salita's got a great record, he's unbeaten and carries a big punch and of course he will pose a threat to Amir, but Amir's a world-class fighter and has to deal with these challengers

Frank Warren
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Frank Warren has confirmed Amir Khan will defend his WBA light-welterweight title for the first time against undefeated Ukrainian Dmitriy Salita.

The 22-year-old champion will clash with the New York-based boxer in December at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena.

Salita, 27, is a WBA mandatory challenger and has recorded 30 wins and one draw with a total of 16 knockouts. The draw came against Ramon Montano in Atlantic City in 2006 after Salita was knocked down twice in the opening round.

Khan won his title with a unanimous decision against another Ukrainian in Andreas Kotelnik and has 15 KOs under his belt, but promoter Frank Warren believes Salita will be a highly-credible first defence.

"For Amir's first defence this is a very tough fight for him and he's taking on a fighter that the American media are really building up at the moment," said Warren.

"Salita's got a great record, he's unbeaten and carries a big punch and of course he will pose a threat to Amir, but Amir's a world-class fighter and has to deal with these challengers.

"I've promoted a lot of shows in Newcastle with all the big names like Naz (Naseem Hamed), Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Nigel Benn and I'm delighted to bring Amir to the city for the first time.

"The public there are big sports fans and love the big events and it's great to bring them a fight like Khan v Salita."

Comments (15)

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Tanveer Choudhry says...

its going to be a decent fight and khan should come out of this with a decent win, i also think khan will KO him the 5th or 6th and will then go to america and hopefully fight some one decent, there may even be a rematch with prescot now that would be a good fight. Dont think that either murray or bradley are going to get fight with khan any time soon. Come on Khan

Posted 01:39 9th October 2009

Ryan Mc adam says...

Yet another overrated British boxer fighting a nobody. Get him in the ring with Hatton and see how long he lasts, not even a round.

Posted 00:50 9th October 2009

Hussain Lambat says...

To be honest and unbiased Khan has still not proved himself as a boxer. Yes he has the speed but thats not everything. Against Barrera was not a clean fight as he bled from his eye not being able to see his opponent.Against Prescott-knocked out. Against Kotelnik 12 rounds-no knock out.Against previous fighters he struugled at times for a win. In case u havnt got the jist Khan is nothing special, Hes Good but still needs to prove himself. For me its all about Prince Naseem an entertaining boxer who brought Life into boxin with his cockyness entertainment boxing skills etc!! peace out

Posted 00:23 9th October 2009

Aslam Shaikh says...

Khan would win this match, but tht doesnt prove khan in the boxing world. Salita has an unbeaten record but is not a world class fighter.

Posted 18:27 8th October 2009

Atif Mahmood says...

Shaun Mcinally - Thaxton has retired, he got beat last fight, he will be announcing the retirement to the public soon, so dont think he could ko khan....

Posted 17:48 8th October 2009

Willy Hampton says...

This does seem a safe option for Khan...Salita's record of 16 ko's in 30 would suggest he's not a big puncher, which Khan seems keen to avoid after the Prescott fight. Boxing Monthy doesn't rate Salita in its overall top 10 for the weight even in this month's issue, whereas Kotelnik is still rated number 7. I think this points to it being a similar fight to the Kotelnik one, with either a late stoppage or points win for Khan.

Posted 00:13 8th October 2009

Lee Moorcroft says...

really tough one for khan stepping up in class a much better fighter than kotelnik but he has weakneses and khan speed and good defence will be the key to puting the star of david on his back this is khans real test to see if he can handle the top guys at light wetler a win hear then he can look for a bradley fight there after hope he has what it takes

Posted 05:14 7th October 2009

Gari Jones says...

Should be a good fight this one Khan needs to be tested and Dmitriy Salita is someone that seems to be able to do that, going by Khan last performance with his high work rate and defensive manner I think this fight will go the distance. Khan might have an advantage here, I don¿t know much about Dmitriy Salita but there's an interesting statistic in his fight record. It seems he's only ever once trained for a 12 round encounter as opposed to Khan's 10 so mentally preparing for this fight Khan should have an edge. Khan to take this on a unanimous points decision but I would like to see a KO victory.

Posted 01:48 7th October 2009

Liam Bolton says...

Being a Geordie, it's great to see big time boxing back in Newcastle! Cannot wait for the fight and i'll definately be grabbing a ticket for this one.

Posted 00:06 7th October 2009

Henry Hanns says...

amir khan taking the easy way by defending his belt instead of risking it against the other champions in his division even though the guy he is fighting is unbeaten the other 2 champions who are in the same division is also unbeaten but are more dangerous like Light-Welterweight IBF Juanurango WBC alexander deveon WBO Timothy Bradley

Posted 23:05 6th October 2009

Sha Khan says...

a tough fight i hope comes through with flying colors.. what ever you do Amir avoid getting hit in the first 21 Seconds. i really think Khan can beat Salita.. Come on Khan

Posted 21:58 6th October 2009

Gurvinder Virdi says...

This has to Amir Khans biggest test the other fighters he fought were has beens or fighters which haven't had much going for them, my moneys on Salita purely because Amir Khan still hasn't proven himself to me. Speed no power and a glass jaw hmm this could be another reconstuction of Brendis Prescott fight!...

Posted 21:42 6th October 2009

Andrew Davies says...

I have no objections with this fight, he's Khan's mandatory and its his 1st defence so why not get it out the way before the year closes. They can talk up Salita's unbeaten record but he has nothing worth noting on his resume and I watched him on the undercard of Roy Jones v Joe Calzaghe and he looked poor. 140lbs is looking quite an attractive division I hope Amir goes and takes fights next year against the tidy names of the division and not let Warren take him down the long years of hopeless defences as he did with Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe. Sure it makes money but proves nothing if he is serious about making a name in the sport.

Posted 16:35 6th October 2009

Shaun Mcinally says...

another hand picked nobody for khan lol what a joke get khan in with murray who done a great job on thaxton even thaxton would ko khan he's nothing but a fraud

Posted 15:53 6th October 2009

Gian Singh says...

What a joke! Any one who follows boxing knows Salita is an inexperienced chinny guy who does not pack a big punch! Sadly Khan will avoid any decent lightweights & Light Welters just to hang on to the belt

Posted 15:36 6th October 2009
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