NEW YORK (JTA) — Boxer Dmitriy Salita will wear the Maccabi Haifa Israeli basketball team logo in his world championship bout.
The logo will be featured on the Orthodox Jewish fighter’s trunks and robe, as well as on his Web site, when he battles champion Amir Kahn for the World Boxing Association junior welterweight title on Dec. 5 in Newcastle, England.
“Dmitriy is a hero in the eyes of the Maccabi Haifa organization and the Jewish community in general,” said Jeffrey Rosen, the chairman of Triangle Financial Services, the Florida-based firm that owns Maccabi Haifa, and the team’s owner.
Salita said he “was inspired by how involved the team is in the Jewish community with their Haifa Hoops for Kids program, which brings underprivileged and special needs Israeli children to their games."
Salita, a Ukraine native who now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., is undefeated in 31 professional fights, including one draw.
