The Jew Spot

When Dmitriy Salita is not in the gym training for his next match, he wraps teffilin and gets himself mentally and spiritually prepared for a fight at a synagogue near the boxing venue or back home in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

Dmitriy will not fight on Shabbos and Jewish holidays. His fights get postponed until after sundown Saturday evenings, and he takes nothing more seriously than Torah and a good fight. Some may find this contradictory, but it has led Dmitriy to become an undefeated boxer with a WBA and IBF International Title (rated number three in the world!).

The Jew Spot isn't the only one impressed. HBO has now filmed two documentaries on Dmitriy and his life in and out of the ring. Now we got to steal some of his attention to ask a few questions of our own. Read the interview here.

Many people are threatened to live by "rules" or a religion. They feel it might hold them back, and in your case, completely be in opposition to a sport such as boxing. But, your story seems to prove that all wrong.

It is true. It has definitely made me stronger. All things in life have to be looked at in its proper context.

The way boxing and religion intertwined in my life is not a contradiction at all. I come from a non- observant background and became religious through Chabad. I started boxing before I ever came to the Chabad house and was serious about it.

The intensity of boxing helped me develop a personal spiritual relationship with G-d and I found G-dliness and spirituality as it relates to me in my life through boxing when I was a young kid. I feel blessed to have been able to do that.

Can you tell us one of your more spiritual moments in the game?

At 18, I won the U.S. Championships as an amateur. That was the first time I decided not to fight on Shabbos and my final match was moved from Saturday afternoon to Saturday evening. That was very intense and it opened the door for my future ability to not fight on Shabbos. Also winning the Golden Gloves, my first pro title, was pretty intense for me.

The quote you’ve said, “If you love doing it...then you found what you are” is so powerful. What is it about the sport of boxing specifically that had you realize you are a boxer?

To me, boxing is the ultimate test of the whole person. It is extremely intense and spiritual. You have to be balanced spiritually, physically and emotionally to get ready for a fight. And the harder the competition, the more tuned in you have to be and harder you have to work.

When my family came to the United States, we were poor. Immigration was very hard, welfare, food stamps, new culture, etc. I felt that boxing was a way out and that was the hunger that drove me to succeed.


I do want to say that I was a good student in school and am a good student in school. Boxing was a choice. I wanted to do something different with my life and achieve my goals and my dream.

What is it about your Jewish faith that has brought you to this point of success?

Judaism is there to make you a more balanced person. If I would do any profession, I would have the same requirements upon me as a Jew. Faith and hard work is what brought me success. Judaism helped me stay focused and persevere.

As one Rabbi friend told me,

"G-d loves nothing more than hard work".

Was there ever a point during your boxing career that you wanted to give up?

I've had a few pretty difficult points in my career. Before my last fight November 8th, I only had two fights in 19 months. That period of time was very difficult for me. I gave my life to boxing and, at a certain point, I had doubts if I would get my opportunity.

Even now to get the right matches in progression sometimes is very difficult.

What got you through those low points?

I prayed with personified feelings. I also continued to stay in the gym and had to get motivated by the determination and hunger that drove me when I first started boxing. I had my brother, my coach Jimmy O and a great friend to help me along during those times. I am forever grateful to them for staying by me and believing in me.

Have you ever received criticism from other fighthers, managers or fans because you refused to fight a match on a Friday night, or anything else that Jewish law may have prevented you from participating?

No, I haven't gotten criticism from the trainers and boxers. I have gotten many questions about Judaism, what it entails, etc.

What would you say have been the toughest parts of managing both lifestyles?

Boxing is my profession. I don't really have a problem managing the lifestyles. My lifestyle is Jewish and boxing is my job. I am friends with many people from the boxing world. Thank G-d I stay focused on what I have to do. I enjoy a nice, calm life outside of boxing.



HBO has now done two specials on you - What was your reaction to this when they approached you?

It was awesome to be profiled and to be the first fighter of the" Ring Life" series that HBO produced. I have watched HBO since I was a youngster and that is one of the factors that motivated me. One day I wanted to be on the network. My last fight was on HBO Pay-Per-View and I hope to fight on the network again.

How has your religious community taken in your boxing success?

At my fights, there is much support from the religious community which is great. I am a result of Chabad’s outreach work. My community supports me and shows me much love wherever I go.

Are you a celebrity in their eyes or still just one of them?

I am one of them. I think it serves as a good tool for religious people that in the United States of America you can be observant and make it in any field, even in sports.

You've said "Having pride helps people be a better person." Explain.

Having a balanced level of pride as a result of self knowledge helps you be a better person. Jewish people have to educate themselves on who they are and where they come from. Having that understanding, I think, will help use their talents and gifts to the upmost potential.

Throughout time, Jewish people were pressed down and prosecuted for having pride. That time has ended and we have to take advantage of it.

With all the publicity, the films and your championships (of course), what do you hope people get out of seeing and reading about you?

I am a kid from Odessa in the Ukraine whose family came here with 300 dollars. I sit back and think about it sometimes and no one from the outside believed that I would be where I am at.

Life can be very challenging. I think it's important to know that. Success happens through faith, enthusiasm, and hard work.

Now what’s next for you?

I hope to fight for a World Title very soon and compete with and beat the biggest names in the sport.


Thank you, Dmitriy, for such an inspiring interview! We will keep you and your World Title in mind when speaking to Hashem, G-d. For more on Dmitriy, visit http://www.dsalita.com/.