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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