ByRobyn Rosen, Robyn Rosen
Supporters of religious Jewish boxer Dmitriy Salita are pulling out all the stops to be at ringside when he challenges Amir Khan for the WBA light-welterweight title at Newcastle’s Metro Arena on December 5.
Edgware travel agent Avrom Weisz has organised a trip for 50 Orthodox fans to travel from London after Shabbat. The group will leave by train at 6pm to arrive in good time for the 11pm title bout.
“We want a Jewish presence there,” explained Mr Weisz, a friend of Salita’s manager Israel Liberow. “For him to look up and see 50 guys in the audience wearing kippot will be great.”
Among those going from the capital is Shloimi Levakoss from Stamford Hill, who said: “I’m there to give another Jewish boy support. Salita is a real mensch.
“He’s a lovely boy and he really knows how to box.”
Much closer to the venue, more than 60 yeshivah students from Gateshead will be at the fight. One of the group, Meir Grossman, said: “It’s important to have a Jewish representation in the audience. We’re going to do some prayers for him before and hope he will win.”