ICE 36 caught up with New York based promoter Dmitriy Salita, who has five fights he’s aiming to make in 2023 involving three brits and boxing’s brightest star Canelo Alvarez.
Salita, a former fighter who once trained alongside Tyson Fury at the fabled Kronk gym in Detroit, outlines his priorities for the New Year. He:
- Plans for Anthony Joshua to face Otto Wallin as Eddie Hearn sets out his three-fight plan to for AJ in ‘23.
- Wants to bring Jermaine Taylor back to the UK to rematch Dillian Whyte. Says Whyte needs to ‘prove’ he’s ready for a summer showdown with AJ and Franklin is the ‘acid test’.
- Confident Natasha Jonas will meet Claressa Shields in a ‘firecracker of a fight’ that will ‘elevate’ women’s boxing.
- Vladimir Shishkin is the right fight for Canelo Alvarez
- And power puncher Shohjahon Ergashev is ready for Regis Prograis
Otto Wallin vs Anthony Joshua
Eddie Hearn and I have discussed Otto and Joshua potentially taking place and I'm waiting to see if an offer will materialise. Eddie's talking about a three-fight plan for AJ in 2023 to build him back up after defeats to Usyk. Eddie says he wants a top 15 opponent in spring.
If they want a credible challenge, a familiar name, and a fighter ranked highly by the organisations - Otto Wallin fits that description perfectly. Otto almost stopped the best heavyweight in the world and Joshua's countryman, Tyson Fury, and is quietly confident of going one better against AJ if we can get the fight signed.
Jermaine Franklin vs Dillian Whyte II
We knew Jermaine would trouble Dillian and he did more than that. Almost every media outlet, fan and pundit felt Jermaine did enough to win the fight. Whyte has since made a list of excuses for not being 100 percent ready, so let's see Whyte prove that it was an off night by taking the rematch. Eddie has mentioned he wants AJ v Whyte in the summer. Franklin will provide an acid test to see if Whyte is truly ready for AJ.
Claressa Shields vs Natasha Jones
I've been in contact with Boxxer's Ben Shalom about one of the biggest fights to be made in women's boxing in 2023: Claressa Shields vs Natasha Jones. Natasha had a terrific 2022, picking up titles and end of year awards. She has improved greatly under trainer Joe Gallagher.
Shields shone against Savannah Marshall as she always does and her stock went up in the UK. I believe Shields and Jonas is the natural fight to make next. All parties want this match-up and I'm confident we'll see this firecracker of a fight made this year. This is another promotion that will continue to elevate women's boxing.
Vladimir Shishkin vs Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez will want to avenge his defeat to Dmitriy Bivol this year after he suffered a clear defeat. Vladimir Shishkin, who proved his pedigree in 2022 beating Jose Uzcategui and positioning himself as the IBF mandatory, has a style very similar to Bivol. If Canelo and Eddie Reynoso want to build towards a Bivol rematch later this year, Shiskin makes the most sense. Shishkin, though, is coming to upset the odds.
Shohjahon Ergashev vs Regis Prograis
Shohjahon Ergashev is one of the biggest punchers in boxing and the best junior welterweights in the world. That would be one of the most interesting fights in the division.
