GL: What's the latest and greatest Dmitriy, it's been a minute since we've had you on Boxingtalk? "Right now I"m training. I should be back in the ring during the second half of August and I should be back in the ring in October, probably against David Torres, who is a NABA champion and ranked by the WBA."

GL: The fight that the fans want to hear about is a potential fight between you and Paul Maliganggi. What's the earliest we could expect that fight to come to fruition?

Dmitriy Salita: "It's definitely been a fight that people have been talking about for a long time and Paulie definitely did a great job of beating N'dou. It definitely sets the stage for the fight. From what I understand from what Lou told me, there aren't any dates on HBO for the rest of the year so I guess there's a good possibility of it happening in the early winter, maybe January. "

GL: How do you feel about a fight between you and Malignaggi?

DS: "I think it has great fight written all over it. We grew up together, we're both guys from New York and we won the gloves together in the same year, it's definitely a natural fight and a fight that people want to see. I think it's going to be a great event and a great fight. We're both very competitive people and it's the kind of fight boxing fans would be on the edge of their seats waiting to see what's going to happen in the ring."

GL: And what would happen in the ring? How would this competitive fight between the two of you play out? Why would you get his hand raised in that fight?

DS: "Well, I believe that stylistically I'm able to adjust to different styles. I understand the strengths and weaknesses of what Paulie brings to the table. I take into full consideration the fact that he's a good boxer who gave Miguel Cotto a tough time, but I believe that my experience and my training would do the job. I always said that I want to fight the best in my division and it seems that this fight is right around the corner so fans should look forward to it."

GL: Did you ever expect your first title shot to come against someone you're cool with?

DS: "It's totally unexpected, but boxing is the theater of the unexpected in many different ways. That's the nature of the sport. I think both of us understood for a long time that when it happens it would be business. We both have a great amount of respect for each other and after the great exhibition he put on with N'dou, my respect has only grown. It's business and we're in the business of boxing. I certainly understand what has to be done and what I have to do and that's the thing."

GL: So who will you be fighting in August?

DS: "I'm not sure yet. I don't have a name at all. As far as I understand the main focus will be on the October fight. October will definitely be a step in the right direction. David Torres is a world ranked guy and he's undefeated. It's the kind of fight I've been looking for to help get me to the next level. I want to get back into the ring in August because unfortunately, this has been the most inactive year of my career. My trainers want me to get a few fights back to back and then start taking the bigger names. And the bigger names, at least on paper starts with David Torres.

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

DS: " I look foward to a very exciting year. This year you're going to see a lot of me. I look forward to staying busy and fighting the best names in the junior welterweight division."

M

Send questions and comments to: gleon@boxingtalk.com