By Ian Aldous: With the ongoing lack of a fight between World Boxing Association (WBA) World welterweight champion, Vyacheslav Senchenko (32-0) and WBA ranked no.1 contender, Paulie Malignaggi (30-4), someone needs to take on the role of challenger and take on Senchenko. That man could be former World light-welterweight title challenger, Dmitriy Salita.

Dmitriy has been involved in prolonged negotiations for a fight with WBA interim welterweight champion, Ismael El Massoudi (36-3). As reported back in October of last year, Matthew Hatton and Hatton Promotions attempted to hijack the fight and secure the interim title shot for Matthew, who has now moved on and will fight Kell Brook on March 17th. Unfortunately Dmitriy and his promotional team have been unable to capitalize and make the fight with El Massoudi. “I signed a contract to fight him after scheduling several dates at MSG and thinking that the fight would happen, he has not committed and it does not look like that fight will take place. It has been very frustrating!”

Dmitriy (rated no.15 by the WBA) is happy to look elsewhere for a fight. “Over the last few days I found out that WBA champ, Senchenko is also having a hard time securing a meaningful fight. I want to fight him!” Senchenko doesn’t stray from the Ukraine but that wouldn’t be a problem for Dmitriy and would be something of a homecoming for the New York based fighter. “I have no problem going to the Ukraine, where I was born.”

With the problems Senchenko and Union boxing are having trying to sign the fight with Paulie Malignaggi and Salita unable to secure the signature of El Massoudi for the interim title, let’s clear up the situation and get two guys into the ring that want to fight. “A fight between us seems like the logical step to settle this mess.”