Dmitry Salita was once an aspiring world champion who not only needed fights but the exposure that televised bouts can bring in order to fulfill his potential as a boxer. Primarily a welterweight during an 11-year career in which he produced a 35-2-1 record with 18 knockouts, Salita understands as well as anyone the importance of getting young fighters the right bouts and providing them with an audience to help build their names.
He was ecstatic Thursday speaking to keviniole.com about his series, "Big Time Boxing USA," which will air on DAZN, which he hopes will fill the spot that Showtime's "ShoBox" series once did. ShoBox produced 90 world champions during its run. USA Network's Tuesday Night Fights did a similar thing during its run from 1982 through 1998.
Salita's first show in the series will be on Feb. 20 from the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit. The main event will pit Ardreal Homes Jr. against Marlon Harrington in a 10-round super welterweight bout.
Salita, who promotes women's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer Claressa Shields, said he's open to working with all promoters to help build not only the show and the fighters on it, but the sport, as well.
He said influencers have largely given the sport a bad name and haven't helped it.
"There is a significant void in boxing over the last few years, however many it is, with HBO and Showtime leaving," Salita told keviniole.com. "It creates issues on several levels. First of all, there isn't as much activity. Secondly, there is no storytelling. The reason why boxing got as big as it did is because back in the day, not so long ago, real fighters were influencers. Real fighters were celebrities. The only influencer I think has really given the sport the respect it deserves is Jake Paul. He's doing real training camps with real trainers and he's getting better as a boxer. You have to respect that.
"I think boxing is going through a renaissance at this point in many ways and so this series is a great opportunity. In particular, it's a great opportunity for the boxing community to come together and work to grow the sport. I think DAZN has been a great asset in the U.S. TV market for boxing fans, and they continue to invest in the sport. On my end, look at what I've done and you'll see, I've promoted cards with Matchroom, with Top Rank, with [Premier Boxing Champions]. I'll work with anyone if we can make good fights, help develop these young boxers into stars and ultimately grow this sport."
Other fights on Salita's first card will feature Ali Izmailov and Britton Norwood in a light heavyweight bout and Joshua Pagan taking on Dwane Taylor in a lightweight bout.