JERUSALEM (JTA) — American Jewish boxer Dmitriy Salita was stopped 1:16 into his World Boxing Association light-welterweight championship bout.
Champion Amir Khan, a Muslim of Pakistani descent, floored the unbeaten Salita twice Saturday night before the referee halted the match in Newcastle, England. Salita, who sported a Star of David on his trunks, also took a standing-eight count.
Salita, an Orthodox Jew, studies at a Chabad yeshiva in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Salita, 27, came in as a heavy underdog despite a 30-0-1 record and being the No. 1 contender for the crown. He was knocked down 10 seconds into the fight, took the eight count after another shot, then was sent to the canvas again before referee Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico stepped in after 76 seconds.
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