Khan Salita . Makes boxing history first fight between a Muslim and a Jew

AMIR KHAN will make boxing history on December 5 in Newcastle when he defends his WBA light-welterweight crown against the New York-based Ukrainian Dmitriy Salita in boxing's first battle between a Muslim and a Jew. Here they talk about their spirituality and how they keep their faith in a terrorism-blighted world. Q What are the real basic principles of your beliefs? AK: I am religious but I try to keep it private. Religion is as important to me as it is to a lot of other people. By praying I feel spiritually stronger. When I pray before a bout, I know God will be with me and guide me through it. Religion gives me the discipline I need to succeed in a very tough sport. DS: It is very important to work hard and make the most of what we have been given. Every person is created in the image of God and every person has, by his efforts and talents, to make the world a better place through goodness and kindness. Everyone is in a certain place in the world where they have the potential to do good. Jews, non-Jews, God created everyone and we believe everything and everyone is his creation. So we have to work together as one society to make the world a better place. Q What rites or ceremonies do you observe? AK: One of the biggest ceremonies there is for Muslims is Ramadan. I fought Breidis Prescott during our Holy Month and I lost the bout - my one and only defeat. I know some members of my community were not pleased with me boxing during Ramadan, which is a fast from sunrise to sunset. I have learned to take Ramadan more seriously, not to box during that time and, really, that defeat was a blessing in disguise for me. DS: I am orthodox Jewish and follow the way of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, based in New York. It is an ultra-orthodox community which has followers all around the world. I observe the Sabbath, which begins at sundown on Friday night and finishes at sunset on Saturday night. I pray three times a day and eat only kosher foods. I stopped fighting on the Sabbath when I was 18, as I won the US Championships. My final match at that time was scheduled for the Saturday afternoon but I told them I was unable to compete. They changed the fight to after the Sabbath - and I won. Q Is it possible for Jews and Muslims to reconcile their basic religious differences? AK: What I love about boxing is that it brings together every culture, race and creed under the sun. What me and Salita are doing here not many people could do. We are both professional sportsmen, one a Muslim and one a Jew, but everyone will be together. When before could you say that you are going to get the Muslims, the Jewish community and the British together in one place enjoying themselves on a night of world championship boxing? DS: In terms of this fight, this is giving us a chance for people to come together. I have no problem, there is no beef. Hopefully, fans from both sides will act respectfully towards each other and this event will make history. Q What are your views on those extremists who spread terror in the name of religion? AK: I am really against any extremist. Of course, everyone has points of view but The Koran does not say innocent people should be killed. I really do feel that if you practise your religion seriously it should bring you closer to other religions through understanding. Following a religion makes you a cleaner person. Religion is about peace and love, working together. I have never been to a mosque anywhere in the world and had people inside tell me that I must do this thing or that thing. DS: According to Judaism and our bible, The Torah, everyone was created in the image of God and everyone has the right to live, to be happy and make the world a better place. In Judaism, we do that through peace and through love and by trying to spread goodness. Q When you box,you merely look upon your opponent as just another fighter as opposed to being a Muslim or a Jew? AK: It is hard to be friends before a bout but afterwards it is different. I would like to think I am friends with all of my opponents. This is sport, you want to be the best by beating the best. Regardless of what religion my opponent is, my only thoughts are to go in the ring and take the guy out because I want to be a winner. It is about competition, I hate losing, I love winning. I feel the British public are behind me and, who knows, that could even include some members of the Jewish community. I think I am opening doors in different areas. It would be amazing for me to have a Jewish following. DS: It makes no difference for me if it is Amir or anyone else in the sport. I am just focused on the fight. It doesn't matter what Amir is. I grew up in the ghetto area of Brooklyn. As a young boy I have been around all kinds of people - black, white, Asian, Muslim, Arab, everything. I think the fact we are coming together should be treated in a positive way. I have a lot of respect for Amir. He does a lot of charity work and is a good role model. A Jew and a Muslim are coming together in competition and, hopefully, my fans and his fans can come together and enjoy the moment in both peace and harmony. In the ring, and I am sure Amir feels the same way, I am going to be very competitive and I plan to bring the title back home. Q When you hear of horrors and atrocities committed by either creed around the world, what do you think? AK: I always try to stay away from politics. I am not going into the ring thinking this guy is Jewish and I want to beat him up because he is different. No. I step into the ring just to step out of it at the end as a winner. DS: Every human being from any race or nationality who sees others die should feel some sort of compassion. But this is boxing. World politics is for another time. Q Before you enter the ring do you pray to your God. If so, what is your prayer? AK: I pray before every fight. I have been doing it since the age of 12. I pray in my hotel before I leave for the venue and also just before the first bell. It just seems to give me an extra edge. Prayer is a big part of my life. You will never see me fight and forget about prayers in the corner. When I was an amateur, other boxers like Frankie Gavin and James DeGale would watch me praying in our room. I know they used to think that the prayers helped me, because I would be the one walking away with a medal or best fighter award on the night. After a fight I say a quiet prayer of thanks. I wait until I am back in my hotel room to say it, as then it is just me and God. DS: I have been saying a prayer to myself in my own way since I started training all those years ago. Before I train, before I run in the morning, I pray. God is everywhere and boxing is a very personal thing for me. It is something I have given my life to.