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Saturday, August 4, 2012

Salita Pounds Valenzuela

Dmitriy Salita, weighing in at the heaviest of his career, dominated journeyman Roberto Valenzuela in a junior middleweight affair. Salita proved that he was several cuts above the 100-fight veteran from Mexico with a fourth round stoppage at the Exposition Hall in Mobile, Alabama.

Salita used both hands to pound the taller Valenzuela to the body early and often. Wearing black trunks with a Star of David over his left leg, Salita was able to vary his attack. Valenzuela's rebuttal featured comically slow lunging left hooks that were easily blocked. Quickly, Valenzuela realized that he had no chance of hurting Salita and resorted to survival mode. Valenzuela's best offense was an accidental headbutt in the second round.

The Brooklyn native dispensed with his jab early, normally a key punch for Salita, once he realized that he wasn't under heavy fire. He unleashed power punch after power punch at the torso and head of his battered opponent.

Rights snapped back Valenzuela's head in the second and third rounds. Dmitriy continued with his body attack and his uppercuts remained crisp. At the end of the third, Valenzuela slumped to the ground after a left hook broke the camel's back. He reluctantly rose to his feet before the ten count was reached.

Salita smelled blood as the fourth commenced. A right knocked back Valenzuela into the corner. That's when Salita jumped on the opponent, switching between body and head shots, forcing the referee to stop the contest 26 seconds into the round. Salita advances to 34-1-1 and got his 18th KO. According to BoxRec, Valenzuela fell to 65-63-2 with 54 KOs.

Of the fight, Salita said he wanted to get in some rounds after a 16 month hiatus. Despite the long layoff, Dmitriy showed no ring rust. He noted that Valenzuela was awkward and would come in with his head, which caused Salita to be patient in breaking down his foe.

After the bout, Salita came over to Paulie Malignaggi, who was broadcasting for Fox Sports Net. Salita has been chasing a fight with Malignaggi, who is the WBA welterweight champion. Dmitriy made the case that he should fight Paulie next, claiming the clash would be a buzz-worthy attraction as the two are friends and both are from Brooklyn. "I have the utmost respect for Paulie," Salita explained.

Malignaggi retorted that Salita needed to get "more wins" before the Battle for Brooklyn would take place. Commentator Dave Bontempo remarked that Salita needed to raise his "marketability" before Malignaggi-Salita would become a reality. Both boxers are currently scheduled to fight on October 20 at the Barclay's Center Arena in Brooklyn, New York. Whether it is against one another remains to be seen.

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