EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DMITRIY SALITA
By Stephen Edwards

BT: What's the latest with you Dmitriy? "Well I just signed with Greg Leon. As far as promoters, Golden Boy is coming to Brooklyn with the Nets, so that may be in play. Maybe Dibella, just seeing the best situation for myself.
 
BT: Are still planning to fight at 147, like you said before?
 
DS: Yes, I have been making 140 since I was a teenager and it's not healthy for me to make that weight anymore.
 
BT: Who are you looking to fight?
 
DS: Well after I get a comeback fight or two, I would like to fight Erik Morales. He is fighting as a welterweight these days. Ricky Hatton says he wants to come to New York, so he would be a good opponent. Alfonso Gomez is also somebody that I would like to fight and of course Paulie Malignaggi.
 
BT: Are you eager to get back in action, what have you been doing with yourself?
 
DS: Fortunately I am a big ticket seller in this area and everybody wants to see me fight again. So I am just staying focused and training with my trainer Nirmal Lorick.
 
BT: Dmitriy you have had only one loss since you were 17 years old?
 
DS: Yes and that was to Amir Khan. Not to make excuses, but there was a lot of things against me that fight.
 
BT: Like what? The truth is not an excuse, let's hear it.
 
DS: The accomodations going over there after an 8 hour flight were not very good. As you know I'm Jewish [Editor's note: Salita is an orthodox Jew and observant]. There were no Kosher restaraunts. The gym was not set up and I had to travel about an hour to the gym. My sparring did not show up when they were supposed to, it was just a tough battle. I didn't warm up properly which was my fault and I got caught cold. Khan is a good fighter. Sharp and very fast but I would love to fight him again on neutral grounds.
 
BT: Was that you career-high payday?
 
DS: Yes, but I would not go over there again. I would fight him on neutral grounds.
 
BT: Speaking of pay days. You were in the sweepstakes for Mayweather's 1st comeback fight.
 
DS: Yes I was. I was also going to get a fight with Oscar, the fight he fought Steve Forbes. But I couldn't take that fight because of the Sabbath. I can't fight on Saturday's until the sun is down. My religion comes first.
 
BT: Wow, you really have principles. Not many fighters would have done that. When can we see you again in the ring?
 
DS: Late August or early September.
 
BT: Ok good luck and thanks for the interview.

Send questions and comments to: dabreadman25@hotmail.com