By Phil D. Jay

Former WBA light-welterweight title challenger Dmitriy Salita (33-1-1, 17KOs) is ready to end his self-imposed exile from the sport and challenge fellow-Brooklynite Paulie Malignaggi (31-4, 7KOs) in a huge New York bout later this year.

The 30 year-old, who was stopped by Amir Khan in one round in his first world title tilt three years ago, has taken time out of the sport to spend time with his family and recharge his batteries and is now ready to return.

“Fighting Paulie for his title is my goal.  We've even talked to each other about it. Paulie would like it to happen also,” Salita told World Boxing News.

“I would like to have a fight in July and then Paulie for the title. That is my goal.  I'm hearing that Golden Boy is opening the new arena in Brooklyn, The Barkley Center with Brooklyn boy Paulie defending his title.

“What could be better than Brooklyn boy Dmitriy as the challenger? Wouldn't New York be excited over that?”

Ukraine-born Salita has won all three of his contest since his solitary loss to Khan and could conceivably put himself in line for a rematch with the Briton when he moves up to 147lbs later this year.

‘Star of David’ will have to come through a summer return before being considered for a WBA title challenge, but remains focused on his comeback and dreams of finally becoming a world champion in 2012.

 “I hope to be wearing the WBA championship belt around my waste. I might even sleep with it on the first few nights,” he added.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net