Dmitriy Salita Interview: Inside Star of David Promotions
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Besides being a presence in the welterweight division today with a record of 35-2-1 with 18 knockouts, Dmitriy Salita, from Brooklyn, New York via the Ukraine, is also a noted boxing promoter in the New York City area. In a Real Combat Media Exclusive, Salita called and granted an interview on the current status of his promotional group Star of David Promotions, which will be doing its first boxing show of 2014 at the opulent and beautiful Millenium Theatre in Brighton Beach Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, February 27, 2014. Salita has done televised boxing shows covered by Real Combat Media previously at this venue, which is located in the heart of the Russian community by the ocean.
Real Combat Media: “Dmitriy, how did Star of David Promotions get started?”
Dmitriy Salita: “Star of David Promotions got started in 2010, and we have been in business (promoting boxing shows) for over three years.”
Real Combat Media: “What fighters have you promoted and where? What kind of exposure has your promotional group given them?”
Dmitriy Salita: “We promote is some of the bigger venues in New York City. Our previous shows have included such outstanding fighters as former World Boxing Association World Welterweight champion Luis Collazo, Will Rozinsky, Frank Galarza, Boyd Melson, myself, and other talented fighters.”
Real Combat Media: “Real Combat Media has covered you from near the start of your career, included your decision bouts against Franklin Gonzalez, Ronnie Warrior, Tito Bracero, and others.”
Dmitriy Salita: “A few years ago, I starting getting interested in fighters from the former Soviet Union Bloc countries. I myself am from the Ukraine, so I understand the tremendous potential (untapped crop of fighter prospects looking to be signed) out there. As seen by current title holders and top prospects, THERE IS TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL (for boxing promoters to find and sign new fighting talent) in that part of the world.”
Real Combat Media: “Dmitriy, can you list the names and tell about the backgrounds of some of the fighters Star of David Promotions currently has signed, and for how long are they signed?”
Dmitriy Salita: “We have many New York based fighters now under contract. Some of them appeared on our most recent show on December 18, 2013, held at New York City’s Webster Hall. This past Fall I entered into a new agreement with a new group of investors with a Wall Street company called Pegasus Funding. The December 18 show was co-promoted by Star of David Promotions with the Pegasus Group.”
Real Combat Media: “Ukrainian ex-Olympian Evgen Khytrov debuted on that show in the main event, scoring a first round knockout under new trainer and former world champion Buddy McGirt.”
Dmitriy Salita: “We encountered some serious legal issues regarding the promotion of Khytrov with Pegasus. We eventually met and agreed to a settlement last month. However……..”
Real Combat Media: “What happened then?”
Dmitriy Salita:”The Pegasus Group (in my professional opinion, based on contractual agreement) subsequently reneged on the settlement deal, and we (Star of David Promotions) are currently preparing a lawsuit. I sincerely hope it can be worked out soon without litigation, so Khytrov can follow the plan we have for him to become the star (world champion) that he has the potential to be.”
Real Combat Media: “Is Star of David currently seeking to sign boxer from the Ukraine and other former Soviet Bloc European countries? Can you clarify on this?”
Dmitriy Salita: “Yes, we plan on working (predominantly to sign) with fighters from the Ukraine and the rest of the former Soviet Bloc countries.
Real Combat Media: “Do you scout the Soviet Bloc fighters as they come up the ranks in the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA)?”
Dmitriy Salita: “Look at the AIBA amateur roster-and you will see it is the origin for most of the world’s elite fighters. ”
Real Combat Media: “Where does Star of David Promotions draw its fan base from?”
Dmitriy Salita: “I am based in New York City, which has a huge Russian speaking population of over one million people. The Russian media is strong, with many mass media forms of communication. They are ready to support the elite Russian speaking fighters who are going to cross the ocean, and make a name for themselves in the United States.”
Real Combat Media: “When will Star of David Promotions have its next boxing show?”
Dmitriy Salita: “Our next show is going to take place on Thursday evening, February 27, 2014, at the beautiful Millenium Theater in the heart of Brighton Beach. We expect a great turnout!”
Real Combat Media: “How many fighters will appear on your next show?”
Dmitriy Salita: “We are work on several (a number of fights for the card). You are going to see the return of Dimash Niyazov, who just fought a fight of the year type fight this past December 18th. He is from Kazakhstan, has a great fan base, and I am sure he will deliver another outstanding performance on February 27, 2014.”
Real Combat Media: “Mexican fighter Raphael Luna claimed he was robbed in his last fight with Niyazov, a six round majority draw, and demanded an eight round rematch. If Niyazov doesn’t want a rematch with Luna, Atlantic City lightweight Osnel Charles has called out you as promoter and Raphael Luna for an eight round rematch as well. Charles drew with Luna at Bally’s Atlantic City in 2012 on a Russell Peltz promotions card.”
Dmitriy Salita: “That fight won’t sell tickets. Russian area fans want to see our fighters. A rematch is in the works for Niyazov and Luna for later in 2014.”
Real Combat Media: “Seems to me Luna will sell tickets. Fight fans want action! Luna provided it on your last card, and saved the card. Luna fought New York State’s ‘Fight of the Year’ against Niyazov, who appeared underprepared and overhyped. What about a rematch between Luna and Niyazov? Fight records don’t mean anything, it’s the actual ability of the boxer. Raphael Luna is a ringer. He had at least a couple hundred amateur fights in Mexico before coming to the United States. His last bout against Niyazov in the preliminary to the main event on your fight card brought the house down! A Luna versus Niyazov rematch would be of great interest to fight fans. Luna proved he comes to fight.”
Dmitriy Salita: “Our next fight card is a work in progress. Raphael Luna was great on our card against Niyazov. Raphael Luna can fight. Luna comes to fight for sure. Dimash will go down to 135 pounds now (from light welterweight). If Luna can make the weight, then we will do an eight round rematch in a fight or two between Niyazov and Luna, maybe for the vacant New York state lightweight title.”
Real Combat Media: “What is the process involved in recruiting fighters from the Ukraine? Do you actually go over there to scout them and and sign them? What is the process of recruiting amateur and professional boxers in the Ukraine and the Soviet Bloc?”
Dmitriy Salita: “I have several contacts (based in Europe) that help me identify the blue chip amateur prospects who are ready and willing to turn pro. I check out their fights, their complete amateur background, and that’s how we make our decisions about signing who. Most of the time, a good amateur resume foreshadows a successful professional career. Ukraine has today one of the best boxing Olympic teams in the world, and their school of boxing is truly Ivy league caliber.”
Real Combat Media: “When will you make your next scouting trip to the Ukraine to look for new talent? What will you look for? What special qualities must a fighter have to get signed by Star of David Promotions?”
Dmitriy Salita: “I am planning a trip home to the Ukraine in the spring. Consistency, dedication and great boxing skills are good signs to look for (in assessing a fighter’s potential). Amateur titles are very important (in my decision). I value good amateur boxing experience very much. There is no matchmaking in the amateurs, so the boxers must consistently fight other boxers of high level ability.”
Real Combat Media: “Do you bring these Ukrainian fighters to the United States personally? Where to they stay after they arrive? Where do they usually train?”
Dmitriy Salita: “New York has huge Ukrainian and Russian speaking communities, which is where most of the fighters I bring over stay. Fight Factory Gym in particular has many of the best boxing trainers from Russia, so a lot of times the fighters hang out in the gym and feel at home.”
Real Combat Media: “Established professional fighters like Viktor Postol and Vyacheslav Senchenko might have better opportunities if they signed with you and came to the United States. Are you also looking to sign experienced Ukrainian fighters?”
Dmitriy Salita: “Viktor Postol and Vyacheslav Senchenko are both very good fighters. Their promoters (with whom they are already signed) do a great job promoting them. Senchenko became a world champion. Postol is one of the highest ranking fighters in the world today.”
Real Combat Media: “Does Star of David Promotions plan to go into Mixed Martial Arts if New York State legalizes it?”
Dmitriy Salita: “I actually did some kick boxing under well-known New York area trainer Paul Mornando before beginning my boxing career. At this point I don’t see myself or Star of David Promotions doing anything with MMA (given it has not been legalized yet).”
Real Combat Media: “Will welterweight Dmitriy Salita be making a boxing comeback on one of his shows later this year? A year of inactivity, not lack of boxing talent, caused your recent ten round decision loss to Bracero. Sugar Hill has done a great job training you. It would be better for you if you were active and fighting every eight weeks, even if just to stay busy against lesser quality opponents. Will you fight again at 140 pounds?”
Dmitriy Salita: “I am a 147 pound welterweight. We will see what the future holds.”
Real Combat Media: “Will Star of David Promotions be doing any boxing shows is Ukraine in the future?”
Dmitriy Salita: “I am working now to together a show in Ukraine in the near future, and we will see if it can be (become) a reality. I am from Odessa (Ukraine’s third largest city), and I would like to stage a night of boxing there in the (upcoming) summer time.”
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