In recent weeks we’ve had the prospect of watching not one but two undefeated, observant Jewish boxers in title fights. On November 14th in Las Vegas, Yuri Foreman won the WBA super welterweight championship by unanimous decision. Earlier tonight in Newcastle, England, Dimitry Salita fought Amir Khan for the WBA light welterweight belt, with a wildly different outcome.
About ten seconds into the first round, Khan let loose a staggering left-right combination that sent Salita to the mat. Salita never recovered. He went down again in the corner, and again against the ropes. At 76 seconds into the round, the referee stopped the fight.
Khan is a promising British fighter who also happens to be a Muslim. Although the press made much of the fact that a Muslim was going to fight a Jew, both boxers downplayed that aspect of the fight. Perhaps this restraint will be some consolation for Salita after his abrupt defeat. But don’t bet on it.
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I have gone to 8 Salita fights in the past. I was disappointed to see him lose so easily. There is no excuse for what happened against Khan. Why haven't the Salita handlers had him work with some real trainers. How can you come out against Khan and not keep you hands in front of your face to defend yourself? I am one angry fan. He needs to get away from his handlers and get some boxing people around him. We know he has some skill and power, but he looked scared going into this fight. Khan was wide open when Dmitry wilted into the ropes. A right hand counter would been nice. Salita said in his own words that he was not hurt. If that was the case than why did he not go to war like he said he would leading up to the fight. Look how Martinez and Williams knocked each other down in the same round on HBO.