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Friday, December 17, 2010

Salita Scores a Knockout

Dmitriy Salita defeated James Wayka by TKO in the third Thursday night in the Roseland Ballroom in New York, New York. The fight was televised on The Jewish Channel. Salita claimed the New York Welterweight title with the victory.

Salita walked to the ring with Matisyahu, who serenaded the fighter with his song King Without a Crown. Wayka, a late replacement for Mike Anchondo who withdrew due to illness, was made to pace the ring as he waited for Salita to enter.

The first round was slow as both combatants took three minutes to feel each other out. The action sped up in the next stanza. After an early headbutt, Salita unintentionally hit Wayka low. That seemed to be the turning point in the bout. Salita knocked Wayka down soon after and once Wayka rose, he was rocked by an overhand right. Just before the round ended, Salita put Wayka down again.

At that point it was clear that Salita threw the straighter punches and possessed the quicker hands. In the third round, Salita continued his effective body punching and overhand rights. After Wayka was felled a fourth and final time, referee David Fields stopped the contest at 1:53 of round three.

Salita advances his record to 32-1-1 and earned his 17th knockout. According to Boxrec.com, Wayka's record tumbled to 16-10-1 with 8 KOs, although his record was introduced as 18-8-1 with 8 KOs at the fight.

Eilon Kedem and Boyd Melson were originally scheduled to fight in separate bouts, but neither made an appearance in the ring.

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