Khan lines up title defence - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Khan lines up title defence

Amir Khan will make the first defence of his WBA light-welterweight title against New York-based Ukrainian Dmitriy Salita on December 5 in Newcastle.

Promoter Frank Warren confirmed on Tuesday that the Bolton 22-year-old, who won the title from another Ukrainian in Andreas Kotelnik in July, will meet the unbeaten Salita at the Metro Radio Arena. Salita, 27, is the WBA mandatory challenger and a highly-credible first defence for 2004 Olympic silver-medalist Khan.

"For Amir's first defence this is a very tough fight for him and he's taking on a fighter that the American media are really building up at the moment," said Warren.

"Salita's got a great record, he's unbeaten and carries a big punch and of course he will pose a threat to Amir, but Amir's a world-class fighter and has to deal with these challengers.

"I've promoted a lot of shows in Newcastle with all the big names like Naz (Naseem Hamed), Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Nigel Benn and I'm delighted to bring Amir to the city for the first time.

"The public there are big sports fans and love the big events and it's great to bring them a fight like Khan v Salita."

Salita, who was born in Odessa but moved to New York aged nine, has a record of 30 wins - 16 inside the distance - and a draw. Only one of his fights, in Puerto Rico in 2003, has been outside the United States.

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