FanHouse Dmitriy Salita

Dmitriy Salita had spent weeks training like a madman at the Poconos resort in Pennsylvania, but the boxer hadn't worked as feverishly as he had while running around in search for a working television on Saturday night.

"I tried to go to different places, but I couldn't find anywhere with good reception," said Salita, "because, you know, this place is out in the middle of nowhere."

By the time Salita was able to achieve his goal, the news already was out: One of his best friends, Yuri Foreman, had become the first Israeli citizen to earn a professional world title.

During a telephone discussion on Thursday from the Poconos to his friend in Las Vegas, Yuri Foreman, boxer Dmitriy Salita was reminded of the ironic situation some eight years ago that has a direct bearing on what is happening in the lives of both young men today.

In April of 2001, fighting over the course of back-to-back days, Salita (pictured) and Foreman earned Golden Gloves crowns while competing at 139 and 147 pounds, respectively, at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Salita, now 27, recalls winning on April 5, the day after his 19th birthday, and Foreman, 29, winning the next night.

"We stay in touch all of the time, and, in fact, I spoke to Yuri today," said Salita, who is training for an upcoming world title bout against England's Amir Kahn to take place early next month. "In fact, I wished him good luck for his upcoming fight that will take place on Saturday night."

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Dmitriy Salita is preparing for his Dec. 5th title shot against world champion Amir Kahn. Salita was born in the Ukraine, but he moved to New York as a young boy. He first discovered boxing in the Big Apple, and he took up the sport both as a way to cope with his mother's death and to fend off the playground bullies.

In this FanHouse exclusive, we hear from Salita about his upcoming fight and what it was like growing up in NYC.

Check out the video after the jump.

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Dmitriy "Star of David" Salita is getting ready for his Dec. 5 title fight against world champion Amir Khan.

This bout is drawing lots of attention worldwide as Salita (30-0 and the official WBA welterweight contender) is an Orthodox Jewish fighter. He's become quite popular in New York, where he's lived since was he was 9 years old, to Israel and all the way to the Ukraine, where he was born.

In this FanHouse exclusive video, we hear from Salita fans, including heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Check out the video after the jump.