Detroit-based Dmitriy Salita named USBA promoter of the year

Detroit-based boxing promoter Dmitriy Salita was named USBA promoter of the year at this week’s International Boxing Federation convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Salita, 42, represents a number of fighters fighting out of Michigan, including Flint’s Claressa Shields and Saginaw’s Jermaine Franklin. 

Salita’s 2023 was highlighted by bringing high-level boxing back to Detroit by hosting the first-ever boxing event at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, which opened in 2017. Shields headlined a mainly local card by defending her undisputed world middleweight championship against Maricela Cornejo by unanimous decision.

He was also presented with the award for USBA fight of the year between Ali Izmailov, a Russian-born boxer fighting out of Detroit, and Charles Foster for the USBA light heavyweight title in June 2023. Izmailov defeated Foster via unanimous decision.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from the IBF,” Salita said in a release. “I thank their organization for recognizing my company’s work and for bestowing ‘Fight of the Year’ to my fighter, Ali Izmailov. To receive this plaque in front of such a large group of great champions and boxing luminaries is a thrill I will never forget.”

Salita in 2024 launched his “Big Time Boxing USA” series and is set to host a third event at Wayne State Fieldhouse on May 23, headlined by Franklin (22-2, 14 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight main event against Devin Vargas (22-10, 9 KOs).

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi