The headline above is a quote from boxing trainer Jimmy O’Pharrow, describing his protégé Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita, also known as the Kosher Kid. According to New York Magazine ”O’Pharrow, who is Catholic, black, and 80 years old, is perhaps the young fighter’s closest friend in the world.”
There have been Jewish fighters before, but Dmitriy Salita is the first (and only) Orthodox Jewish Boxer ever. This AFP wire story provides more background:
O’Pharrow, who has run the gritty Starrett City Boxing Club for three decades, cannot hide his affection for Salita — or his bewilderment at the exigencies of Orthodox Judaism.
The major problem is the suspension of any activity during shabbat, which starts at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown Saturday.
Friday is a key time for boxing, including lucrative slots on ESPN television, and even on Saturdays Salita will refuse to fight until dark.
“I gotta learn his angles, his religion,” O’Pharrow said, as his young charge stripped to underpants for the weigh-in on Friday ahead of Saturday’s bout — racing to finish before sunset.
“You can’t take pictures of him, wrap his hands, nothing until after sundown. He can’t fight Friday night, he can’t train on Saturday, and there’s 70 other days that are Jewish holidays,” O’Pharrow said. “You can’t even call him on the telephone.”
Salita says his violent profession and peaceful religion are not incompatible.
“Judaism is peaceful,” he said, “but boxing is not brawling. This is the sweet science, an art.”