Salita has faith in win

Salita: Says faith is not a factor

This fight has got nothing to do with our different religions. My job is to win and to kick Amir's ass

Dmitriy Salita
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KING KHAN THE FIRST DEFENCE
Amir Khan v Dmitriy Salita
WBA Light-Welterweight title
Live on Sky Box Office & in HD
8.00pm, Saturday, December 5
Channel 743 & 752
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Dmitriy Salita insists the difference in religious belief between himself and Amir Khan will not be a factor when he makes his WBA light-welterweight title challenge.

Orthodox Jew Salita will take on Khan in the first defence of his title in Newcastle on Saturday night, but the American is adamant that the fact the Bolton fighter is a practising Muslim will have no bearing on the bout.

"This fight has got nothing to do with our different religions," said 27-year-old Salita.

"My job is to win and to kick Amir's ass. In terms of all the other issues I've 100 per cent respect for him in and out of the ring."

Unbeaten

The American has gone unbeaten through 31 fights since he turned professional in 2001, with a single draw the only minor stain on his record.

However Salita, who does not train or box on a Sabbath, insists his religion ultimately takes priority over his fighting career.

"I wouldn't go to the world championships in Hungary because I wouldn't fight on the Sabbath," he said.

"I definitely wouldn't have fought Amir if it was going to take place on the Friday. I will never compromise my beliefs. Never. Boxing is such a big part of my life, but it won't get in the way of my religion."

Salita is, by his own admission, an unlikely contender for the title after being born into an uneducated family in the Ukrainian port of Odessa when it was still part of the Soviet Union and moving to New York as a child, where education and business were the only acceptable options for him.

"It is hard to give an answer to why I started boxing so seriously," said Salita.

"Russian Jewish immigrants always made their way in education and business. I am doing it a different way and it transpired through boxing. My desire to accomplish something is through boxing."

Passion

Salita, who wears the star of David on his shorts, immersed himself in his faith during his teenage years when his mother became ill, and his passion for his religion and for the ring developed equally.

The American revealed he draws inspiration from the success of his friend Yuri Foreman.

Last month Foreman, who is studying to become a rabbi, won the WBA version of the world light-middleweight title and Salita is hoping to emulate his victory when he takes on Khan.

"Yuri did a great job and I think that he has worked very hard for his victory and world title," added Salita.

"We both come from the same boxing culture and are orthodox. He got his reward and I want to join the club."