The Russians are here! It’s fight week, and Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing and Steve Bash’s Bash Boxing are set to present their boxing spectacular at historic Roseland Ballroom on West 52nd Street in New York City this Thursday night, February 28, headlined by IBF junior bantamweight world champion Dimitri “The Baby” Kirilov (29-3, 9 KO’s) in his first title defense against Cecilio “Boga” Santos (22-8-2, 12 KO’s) in the main event..
The co-featured attraction marks the return to the ring of ever popular Brooklyn based brawler Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita (27-0-1, 15 KO’s), in his first fight after nearly a year’s absence against Mexico’s Fabian “El Lobo” Luque (21-6-5, 12 KO’s).
It will be a double dose of Dimitri/Dmitriy when the two Eastern European standouts hit the ring. Kirilov hails from St. Petersburg, Russia, while Salita is from Odessa, Ukraine, and is now one of Brooklyn’s favorite sons.
Undefeated Bronx Puerto Rican star Jorge “The Truth” Teron (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) ascends the ranks when the New York State champ faces Sandro Marcos (27-16-2, 23 KO’s) of Mazatlan, Mexico in a 12-round clash for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship.
In yet another championship match up, the ladies will also be in action when WIBA Women’s Flyweight World Champion Elena “Baby Doll” Reid (19-3-5, 5 KO’s) puts her belt on the line against three time Golden Gloves champion Eileen “Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski (4-0-1).
The Russians Are Coming In all, three championships are on the seven-bout card, which Kushner calls “the best local fight card I’ve ever promoted.” Flag-waving patriots get to salute U.S. Marine Jon Schneider when the Yonkers, NY native takes on Boston police officer Tyrone Smith (5-5-1, 2 KO’s) in a six round Cruiserweight attraction. Tickets are priced at $200, $150 and $100 ($50 are already sold out) and are available by calling Gotham Boxing at 212 755-1944 or Ticketmaster on line.
About Kirilov: On October 13, 2007, as the semi-main event during the Evander Holyfield vs. Sultan Ibragimov WBO Heavyweight Championship card, Kirilov (29-3, 12 KOs) delivered the fight of his life to decision Jose Navarro (26-3, 14 KOs) for the vacant IBF title. Rounds one and two went to Navarro who used his 3 inch height advantage to connect well from the outside. The tables were turned in round three by a sensational right hook from Kirilov that sent Navarro to the canvas.
Navarro came back in the middle rounds and just when the victory seemed to be floating away from the Russian, Kirilov rallied emphatically. Kirilov started to land his left hooks and straight rights and was in total command throughout the championship rounds. The late rally earned Kirilov a unanimous decision and the IBF Junior Bantamweight Title. Kirilov became the 9th World Champion in Russia’s history and 20th World Champion trained by Freddie Roach. Kirilov began boxing at just 11 years of age, and enjoyed a very successful amateur career competing in nearly 100 bouts. He turned pro at the age of 19 in 1998, and would go on to win the WBC Youth Championship Title and 23 of his first 24 fights, with the lone loss being a close decision against Spend Abazi (20-1) for the EBU Bantamweight Championship.
Kirilov’s success lead him to a number 1 ranking and title challenge of WBC Super Flyweight Champion Masamori Tokuyama in the champion’s hometown of Japan in 2004. Though he would lose by decision, Kirilov fought well and proved he was a worthy challenger on the world title level and that he would be heard from again in the future.
About Salita: Salita, a New York City mainstay, returns to the ring after almost a year hiatus. He has a stellar ring record of 27-0-1, including 15 wins by way of knockout. “Star of David” has reeled off 10 straight New York City victories, with the lone blemish on his slate being a draw in Atlantic City. In his most recent bout on March 22, 2007, Salita defeated the tough-minded Grover Wiley, a veteran from Omaha, Nebraska, in a 10-round junior welterweight decision.