Dmitry Salita - Jewish Heritage

Jewish Heritage

“I enjoy being different. People are surprised at how good the White, Jewish kid is, surprised that I can fight. I take that as a compliment.”

After he moved to Brooklyn, he was exposed to Orthodox Judaism and became an observant Jew. He strictly follows Jewish law – if he has a fight on a Saturday, it must begin after sundown, the end of the sabbath. He said, “Anyone who wants a good whuppin' from me is just going to have to wait until sundown.” There are as many as 70 Jewish holy days each year on which he will not fight, and he follows Jewish dietary laws. When he’s training, he stays within walking distance of a synagogue for Friday and Saturday services, and he does not drive on the sabbath.

Promoter Bob Arum said, "If he's as good as it appears he is, and he can be held up as an example of religious devotion to both Jews and gentiles, he'll be a great attraction."

Salita said, "I will never compromise my beliefs. Never. It’s not a question. I have a personal relationship with God that I won’t compromise. My boxing is such a big part of my life, but it won’t get in the way of my religion. It can't, and it won't."

Salita is one of several active Jewish boxers. Others include heavyweight Roman Greenberg at (27–1–0) and junior middleweight Yuri Foreman at (28–1–0) as well as Muay Thai kickboxer Ilya Grad at (29–9–0). Salita enters the ring to Yiddish rap.