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Last week I spoke in depth with contender Ishe Smith about his recent career developments and his aspirations for the future. Smith is coming off of a punishing, back and forth battle with Middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero in which he dropped a competitive decision that many felt should have went the other way. Following the loss Smith stated that he will be making a return to his more natural weight class of 154 pounds and eyeing all possibilities.
During our conversation Smith gave his take on such fighters as Miguel Cotto, Andre Berto, Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams and Dmitry Pirog, who stopped Danny Jacobs this past July 31st at the Mandalay Bay with a beautiful right hand. Smith seems open the possibility of facing all comers in the Jr. Middleweight division and recently has also thrown down the gauntlet to both Deandre Latimore and Vanes Martirosyan in hopes of luring a meaningful fight his way.
As the interview came to a close Smith was asked for his thoughts on the recent whereabouts of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his opinion on the superstar?s career. Smith knows Mayweather very well, as he was brought into Floyd?s camp earlier this year for his May 1st fight with ?Sugar? Shane Mosley. While training with Mayweather, Smith revealed that he saw first hand how much dedication the Grand Rapids fighter truly has.
?What I saw in camp was far from amazing,? Smith would state following the Mayweather-Mosley bout. ?It was unreal the things I had seen this guy do throughout the camp. I have never in my 24-years of boxing witnessed anything like this before. I witnessed Mayweather work out for two to three hours straight, and only taking ten second water breaks – with no bell, no minute rest, and no horse play. In the gym Mayweather is all about his business. I honestly can?t remember a single time throughout the entire camp that I even saw him get tired, and that includes during sparring, and regular workouts.?
Smith went on to state that Mayweather?s camp was run like an organized ship and that everyone was beyond professional. Smith says his sparring sessions with Mayweather were some of the hardest he has endured, along with his battles with the late Vernon Forrest, and that it had been well over ten years since the two had laced the gloves up in such fashion.
But what exactly is Smith?s take on Mayweather?s recent actions? The flamboyant fighter has been strikingly silent in recent months and the public has criticized him for not being active towards pursuing a November 13th fight with Manny Pacquiao. Instead Mayweather could be found traveling to such locations as Puerto Rico and South Florida, dividing his time between watching cock fights, attending a Dwayne Wade-hosted charity event, and even mingling with infamous promoter Don King. Mayweather has claimed that he isn?t focusing on fighting for the moment and Smith feels it is for good reason.
?I think he is enjoying life,? Smith told me point blank. ?I think he really wanted to make the Manny fight the first time and it didn?t happen so he fought Shane. He put a lot into that camp and I think he just wants to sit back and enjoy it. How can you fault him? If he doesn?t want to make the fight right now he doesn?t want to make it. If he never wants to fight Manny Pacquiao that?s his prerogative. Who are we to say who or when or where he should fight? He?s the person that has to get out there and run the mountains, do the sit-ups, spar the rounds, and if he?s not into it, he?s just not into it. He scored a big victory against Shane, he?s just enjoying life and has enough money to take care of his kids.?
While Mayweather certainly seems to be appreciating the finer things in life as opposed to focusing on his boxing grind the backlash he has received has been extremely harsh. Fans and some members from the media have questioned his motives while stating that the 33-year is simply afraid of facing a fighter of Pacquiao?s caliber. Smith knows how brutal critics in the boxing world can be and seems to just shake his head at the matter.
?I don?t understand these fans sometimes,? Smith continued. ?Sometimes they are just ridiculous. Much props to Floyd. He has delivered so many great fights over the years. Whether or not the fight happens or it doesn?t happen, he is a hall of fame fighter in my book. One of the best of our generation and he will be missed. I just think the people need to lay off of him. It was pretty much said after he fought Shane that he wasn?t fighting anymore in 2010 and now everybody is surprised that the fight didn?t happen. Well he didn?t say he was fighting any more in 2010. Like I said, I worry about my business and that?s what people need to be doing. Don?t worry about another man?s business.?
As for Pacquiao, he now looks to have a willing dance partner in the form of rugged Tijuana native Antonio Margarito. The two men with fight for the vacant WBC Jr. Middleweight crown at a reported catch weight of 150 pounds and the fight has gotten little reaction in terms of fanfare or excitement. Margarito is still looking to redeem his image following his suspension form the California State Athletic Commission and that seems to be one of the reasons why Smith isn?t too keen on the contest.
?I?m tired of Manny making guys go down,? Smith says of the November 13th catch weight. ?I mean if you are pound for pound stop making fights at catch weights. When he fought Cotto he made him come in at 145 pounds. It?s going to kill Margarito even before he sets foot inside the ring. Pacquiao is a great fighter and he doesn?t need to keep doing that. I have mixed emotions. It?s Margarito?s second fight since the whole hand wrap incident and he already landed that fight. It?s going to make money and we all want to make money.?
Sounding off, Smith states that he would rather see Pacquiao test himself against a fighter who has been more active and proven in recent times. Now a congressman in the province of Sarangani in his native Philippines, Pacquiao?s fighting days may be numbered and Smith sees better options for the moment.
?I don?t understand why he can?t fight Timothy Bradley or somebody else. There are already fighters there that would be able to fight him and I think it?s unfortunate. Honestly I would rather see him fight a Timothy Bradley or somebody like that. Not somebody like an Amir Khan, someone who talks but doesn?t fight. Hopefully he can make it a good fight.?
