Promoter Frank Warren has confirmed the Bolton 22-year-old, who won the title from another Ukrainian in Andreas Kotelnik in July, will meet the unbeaten Salita at the Metro Radio Arena.
Salita, 27, is the WBA mandatory challenger and a highly-credible first defence for 2004 Olympic silver-medalist Khan.
“For Amir’s first defence this is a very tough fight for him and he’s taking on a fighter that the American media are really building up at the moment,” said Warren.
“Salita’s got a great record, he’s unbeaten and carries a big punch and of course he will pose a threat to Amir, but Amir’s a world-class fighter and has to deal with these challengers.
“I’ve promoted a lot of shows in Newcastle with all the big names like Naz (Naseem Hamed), Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Nigel Benn and I’m delighted to bring Amir to the city for the first time.
“The public there are big sports fans and love the big events and it’s great to bring them a fight like Khan v Salita.”
Salita, who was born in Odessa but moved to New York aged nine, has a record of 30 wins - 16 inside the distance - and a draw. Only one of his fights, in Puerto Rico in 2003, has been outside the United States.
What do you think? Have your say.
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AngryMcNasty, Manchester (28/09/2009 at 19:11)
Could this shuffle have anything to do with the fact that Salita is relatively feather fisted and doesnt have anywhere near the dig of Maidana?
Another shrewed move by Mr. Warren - but Khan is going to have to fight someone dangerous sooner or later!
Hands of Stone, Southside (28/09/2009 at 23:47)
No one cares whos English, irish, Asian, Black etc except you
PatBlackFlash (29/09/2009 at 13:33)
AngryMcNasty, Manchester (29/09/2009 at 15:27)
PatBlackFlash, how can Salita be the mandatory challenger when Maidana is the interim champion!?
Hands of Stone, Southside (29/09/2009 at 22:22)
I have no problem with no-one except you and your kind: I am in fact Scottish Italian.
All you do is harp on about 'irish' fighters when half the people you mention are NOT irish?
As I've mentioned previously this is the MANCHESTER evening news and MANCHESTER is a melting pot for many different people from many different backgrounds, but we're all MANCS. All you appear to want to do is cause factions within the MANCHESTER boxing scene and there is just no need for it at all mate - maybe that was just the way you were brought up, but I and others do not like or welcome it, so stop going on with yourself, you narrow minded fool.
redfred, manchester (30/09/2009 at 09:24)
sportcity kid, eastlands (30/09/2009 at 17:42)
AngryMcNasty, Manchester (30/09/2009 at 19:33)
I think its you that are the one that is a "narrow minded fool". You think that because I and these boxers are proud of being Irish or of their Irish hertitage that I am some how "stirring up factions".
The sounds like the logic of a BNP member! People should be able to be proud of where they and their family comes from and not be worried if bigots will kick off. As you say "MANCHESTER is a melting pot for many different people from many different backgrounds" - and we can all be proud of our countries of birth and ethnicity! In fact it should be celebrated - it is an ignorant stance to take that states that celebrating your own ethnicity automatically rejects others - its doesnt!
As an Irish Manc I love to see other Irish Mancs do well - they bring pride to our community - but that doesnt mean I dont also support Asain Mancs, Black Mancs or any other!
Grow up!
AngryMcNasty, Manchester (30/09/2009 at 21:17)
Hands of Stone, Southside (30/09/2009 at 22:26)
You lads don't half have spuds on the shoulders.
Hands of Stone, Southside (01/10/2009 at 10:46)
Prob a celtic fan are we? i think we know wht your politics are mate: how can you call me a bnp member for pointing out that he is NOT irish? You're a mug mate, a total mug!
AngryMcNasty, Manchester (01/10/2009 at 14:05)
Grow up - people should be allowed be proud of their heritage without idiots like you having a go at them. Ask Gomez, Macklin, Moore or Fury if they are Irish or not - I think their answer should hold a little more weight then what your bigoted opinion does!
Sweet dreams!
bluejon71 (07/10/2009 at 07:59)
Hands of Stone, Southside (07/10/2009 at 09:21)
However, the general concensus on the ground level boxing scene is that it is a false position that he finds himself in and he is marketed, plugged, promoted etc for various other reasons. I can't say I wouldn't want to set my family and myself for life for generations to come. However, if he still has that true warrior spirit, surely he will tell warren that enough is eonough and he will want to test himself for real sooner or later - if not perhaps his fire has realy gone out?
redfred, manchester (07/10/2009 at 18:57)