USA Boxing News Dmitriy Salita Joins Square Ring Jerry Glick reporting: Undefeated junior welterweight contender Dmitriy Salita took a big step in his career today signing a three fight deal with Roy Jones' Square Ring Promotions. The deal is structured in such a way as to benefit Salita as well as Square Ring; after the three fights another three will kick in in the event that one is going to be a world title fight. "Hopefully it will be longer than that," said Salita 28-0-1 (16), "hopefully for the rest of my career." While he had other offers, Dmitriy felt good about Jones, "I had good vibes with Square Ring, so I went with them." Salita told this reporter that Square Ring tried to tack down a title fight with Andreas Kotelnik for him, only to be turned down as an opponent for the WBA strap holder. Regardless, Salita will appear on the undercard of Jones against Joe Calzaghe for the Welshman's Light-heavyweight Title reportedly at Madison Square Garden on September 20th. Salita, who lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is originally from Odessa, Ukraine, was approached by Ric Glazer who knew that Dmitriy was a free agent and he first brought up the idea of Square Ring and Dmitriy Salita hooking up. "We talked about it for some time," explained Salita. "We went over certain issues, and I told him that my main criterion was to get me a spot on HBO or Showtime and get me the bigger fight that I was looking for." "He guaranteed it," he continued. "Roy Jones is fighting Calzaghe, I have a spot on that pay per view card." Square Ring is new and Jones is looking to build it into a force in boxing. Everyone knows who the other boxing super star is who did something very similar with incredible success, Oscar De La Hoya and his Golden Boy Promotions. "You know it's a young company," said Salita. "I'm one of the first guys to sign with Square Ring. We signed a three fight deal and I am excited about it" Jones may be based in Pensacola, FL but Salita will remain at the Starrett City Boxing Club where he has spent most of his boxing life. "It's the hot bed of boxing on the east coast," said Salita. "I like to call it the eastern Kronk." "I go to the Poconos, where I've always gone," explained Salita. "I go to get focused and in great shape and get ready to take care of business." The Starrett City Boxing Club, Dmitriy's home away from home, has become so much more popular as a Mecca for boxers now as compared to when he first walked in as a kid. "Joe Greene trains there, Danny Jacobs trains there, Zab trains there, Junior Jones, is there to train young fighters," listed Salita. "It's the cream of the crop, Monte Barrett, Shannon Briggs, Louie Collazo trains there, and the list goes on." Salita is trained by Francisco Guzman, "I've been with him for a year and a half," said Salita. "And Jimmy "O", Jimmy O'Farrell, who I've been with. Jimmy is the director of Starrett City Boxing Club. Jimmy is a mentor and he's in my corner always." When I asked if he was the co-trainer with Guzman, Salita explained, "I wouldn't call him a co-trainer, he's much more than that. He's there to make sure that everything goes well; his words go a long way." As to the deal he signed with Square Ring, the 26 year old Salita is "Glad about that, I'm excited about this partnership. I think there's going to be great things, starting with the fight in the Garden." Jones has, in the past, made sure there was a spot on his undercards, when ever he fought, for fighters with whom he had an interest in including Winky Wright who went on to become a super star in boxing in his own right and Derrick Gainer who became WBA Featherweight Champion. So being on Roy's team is a good thing. "Roy Jones is a fighter," said Salita. "He knows what is necessary; he knows what's in your head for a boxer to progress. And I think that he treats his boxers really well, and that's very important." "There's no better place to be starting out than fighting in Madison Square Garden with two legends; one of the greatest fights of all time, Roy Jones Jr. and Joe Calzaghe fighting each other."

Not only are there some good contenders in the 140 pound division, but given today's climate for multiple champions Salita can assess the men who share recognition as Light-Welterweight Titlists. "I know Kendall, I know Paulie, I don't know too much about Timothy Bradley, but I'll fight any one of the champions at 140 pounds," said Salita. "I know Kotelnik in boxing, but Paulie I grew up with. So if any of those fights could be made, I'm more than anxious to do it. If I can't get a fight with Kotelnik, then I'll take a top ten rated contender, then I'd like to fight for a world title against any one of those guys." Salita was promoted for a few years by DiBella Entertainment. They parted ways a week before New Years, 2008; that is, in December of 07 he was released from DiBella Entertainment. So there has been about eight months that Salita was without a promoter. "There was a time that I didn't fight, maybe a year before that; it was really a difficult time for me because boxing is something that I do, and something that I gave my life to. It was a hard period of time that I went through but I tried to use it to my advantage. I stayed in the gym. As Don King says I didn't serve time, I let time serve me. I got better; I got physically strong and mentally strong. I had that fight on Cedric's show. Then I tried to get on some local shows, ESPN cards, etc. but for what ever reason it was very difficult. Unless you're signed, people don't want to put you on their shows." It was at this point that frustration set in and he knew that he must find a promoter. Then into Dmitriy's life walks Square Ring Promotions and things are finally looking up for Salita. "I look forward to getting great opportunities and I look forward to fighting the best this year and for the title and becoming a world champion." From the time that he first walked into the Starrett City Boxing Club as a 95 pound kid he has dreamed of fighting on HBO and fighting for a world title and now he can taste it. All he has to do is keep winning and look impressive doing it.