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Salita: Gone in 76 seconds

December 10, 2009 10:32
Shock and awe: Salita is caught by one of the devastating blows Amir Khan launched in the opening round

By

Danny Caro,

Danny Caro

1 min read

Dmitriy Salita has vowed to bounce back from Saturday’s WBA light-welterweight title humbling against holder Amir Khan.

The Brooklyn-based fighter was blown away by a devastating flurry of punches from Khan who knocked him down three times in the first round. The first was a lightning left-right combination within 15 seconds of the opening bell. The fight, at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, was stopped after just 76 seconds.

A dazed Salita never recovered and was subjected to a further barrage that saw him collapse to one knee after a devastating left had sent him reeling across the ring.

Described as the most sensational performance of Khan’s career, Salita, 27, reflected on his first defeat in 32 bouts. “He surprised me with how fast he came out. I didn’t do anything although before the fight I feel as though I did everything that I could.