Dmitriy Salita believes next month’s fight against Hector Camacho Jr will be the most important of his career.
Beaten by Amir Khan in a WBA Welterweight world title bout in 2009, the Ukrainian-born boxer has been preparing for the contest at the new Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.
Salita said: "It's the most important of my fight career and a touchstone which will measure my status as a contender in the very talent rich welterweight and junior middleweight divisions.
"Although I've been a professional for several years, I’m realistically considering this contest as a new beginning of my fight career. I'm very excited and thankful for this opportunity."
Salita believes fans will see a new style when he gets into the ring after sparring with some top-level fighters at the renowned Kronk Gym of Detroit in Michigan.
"From the first day of sparring at the Kronk Gym, I noticed that the style and spirit of the facility and its fighters were very special and unique,” he said. “It’s very much like being in a real fight. The pride and intensity level there has taken my abilities to much greater heights. It has really made me view the sport in a much different way.
"When you train at such a high level of intensity and you’re able to control those sessions in the gym, it really increases your confidence and makes you a much better fighter. It’s been a real honour to train with the great fighters.
Salita has won 37 of his 39 professional fights, including 18 KO’s. He said: “on february 9, I’m confident I will take my next big step towards winning a world championship."
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