Five years ago, Ishe Smith?s (25-5, 11 KOs) career was in tatters: dropped by his promoter, the victim of several tough losses, and seemingly beholden to the title of ?failed prospect?. Contemplating suicide, Smith chose not to leave his new child without a father, the same upbringing in which he had endure. Now, Ishe Smith is the new IBF junior middleweight champion. On Saturday?s edition of ?Showtime Championship Boxing?, Smith outworked and outboxed Cornelius Bundrage(32-5, 19 KOs) to claim the title in Bundrage?s hometown of Detroit, Michigan. It was not the most ascetically pleasing fight, but it was resounding performance for a man who took 13 years to get to his title.
The fight came about after Smith?s promoter, Floyd Mayweather, pulled several strings to get his fighter the world title shot in which he promised. Bundrage, meanwhile, was looking at Smith as a stay-busy fight while he awaited a bigger fight. Ultimately, though, Bundrage was sloppy; looking for one big shot, while Smith pounded his fellow Contender alumni with fierce 1-2 combinations.The first six rounds were an ugly affair in which neither men could manage to find the proper range. The two traded rounds that were mostly decided by which man decided to lead. However, Bundrage did begin to slow as the fight progressed into the later rounds, while Smith managed to increase his output and take advantage of the opportunity. By the eight round, Smith was backing Bundrage up with that straight right, and had K9 hurt on several occasions, although, he could never capitalize. As the final bell rang, it appeared that Smith was the clear victor, but the judges managed to turn up the drama with scorecards of 116-111 for Smith, 114-113 for Bundrage, and the final card ringing out 116-111 for Smith to make him the new champion.
Smith, overwhelmed with emotion, collapsed onto the mat in tears. During the post-fight interview, he struggled to maintain his composure as he tearfully thanked Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe, and shouted out the names of his fallen friends and colleagues: Vernon Forrest and Diego Corrales, men who he once camped with. Now, Smith holds the same title as both: champion.
It pays to be an associate of Floyd Mayweather, prospect J?Leon Love (15-0, 8 KOs) learned that out as he found himself fighting on the co-feature of Showtime Championship Boxing. However, his first marquee fight wasn?t without difficulty as journeyman Derek Findley (20-9, 13 KOs) did manage to press the younger prospect. Ultimately, though, Love managed to secure a wide unanimous decision victory ? 100-90, 99-91(2x) ? over Findley.
Love, who trains at Mayweather?s gym in Las Vegas under the tutelage of Roger Mayweather, spent much of the fight on his hind legs, circling around Findley, while throwing jabs and counter right hands. Findley, however, was looking to press the action, and for much of the fight, it created a back-and-forth affair. Love nearly had Findley out of the fight in the fourth round off a strong right hand, but Findley survived, and manged to hurt Love in the fifth round.
However, the fifth round was likely his high point, as after that Love managed to control the action with a higher work rate while Findley began to fade. It appeared that Love piled up enough points to earn a decision victory, which he received, but the scores were a bit wide for some observers. Ultimately, Love will continue to be groomed by his promoter and co-trainer Floyd Mayweather, but he will need to fix a few holes in his game before he?s expected to challenge the world?s best.
