TalkingBoxing Interviews
Talking Boxing with ISHE SMITH
TUE May 31, JULIUS STECKER - In a 'Fan Favorite' bout on last week's Contender season finale, rising star Ishe Smith, 16-1, scored a dominating five round unanimous decision over tough Anthony Bonstante, 26-6. Smith's performance, which aired on Yahoo! earlier in the day before the live main-event, saw an extremely sharp "Sugar Shay" using his speed, skills and great defense to beat Bonstante from pillar to post.
The 26-year old, Las Vegas, Nevada native was knocked off the show earlier by eventual million dollar champion Sergio Mora, via a razor thin split decision loss, something that remains unfinished business for Smith.
"I definitely think that they owe me a rematch! No one, in my opinion deserves to fight Sergio more than me.” And the former USBA welterweight champion does have a point, as he gave Mora his toughest fight, and a rematch with Mora may be what the doctor ordered. However, that decision will be left up to Mark Burnett and company and is out of the hands of both Smith and Mora.
In the meantime, TalkingBoxing.com caught up with Smith recently to get his take on the aftermath of the show, his career, and a lot more.
TalkingBoxing: Ishe, excellent performance against Bonstante, and I know you really did not like Anthony's tactics during the show, so how sweet was that victory?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: I think that my fight with Bonstante was an excellent victory and a decent match up. Joe and I had a game plan, from the beginning, and we just stuck with that all through the fight. Bonstante, is a good fighter, and as everyone knows from watching the show, there was some bad blood there. However, I know that I left it all in the ring that day, and I hope that he did too.
TalkingBoxing: Tell us how the Joe Goosen addition to your corner has been a plus.
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: Joe Goossen is the best trainer that I have ever worked with in my life, not just from a trainer fighter point of view; but from being a good friend and companion outside of the ring as well. I think that he has done great things with my style, and I believe that he has made me more relaxed in the ring. I am very excited about boxing, and where Joe and I are going together in the future.
TalkingBoxing: Will you be fighting on the July 5th Contender, and if not when will you be fighting?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: Currently, everything is in discussions, on who, what, where or when. I still do not know who will be promoting me, however, one thing is for sure, I am ready for whoever, whenever. This upcoming week is a very important week. I am in discussions with my attorney, to talk about the course of action for the rest of my career. Right now everything is in God’s hands and however during this waiting period; I will be working with Joe, to get more comfortable with my improved style, and sharpen my skills.
TalkingBoxing: Looking back at the show, it was pretty clear you were one of the top fighters on the show. So with that in mind do you want a rematch against Sergio Mora since your first fight against him was so close?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith:
I definitely think that they owe me a rematch! No one, in my opinion deserves to fight Sergio more than me. The only other show fight out there that makes sense to me is a fight with, Alfonso Gomez. Other than that, no other person at this time from the show, interests me, more than those two. In my opinion, Alfonso and I should fight, and the winner, should fight Sergio. Looking back on the show, every fighter has lost twice; however, Alfonso and I have only lost once. That fight, with the winner to fight Sergio makes the most sense.
In the sport of boxing I consider myself a big fish, and what is important in my career, is for someone to NOT try to make me a small fish, and make me take meaningless fights, or try to overlook me. I have always stepped up and took big fights, and I do not want that to stop now. I feel like I have earned a lot in this industry, and do not want to be denied. I am looking for the best of the best.
TalkingBoxing: Looking back now though, give everybody your take on the whole Contender experience.
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: The whole Contender experience was a great one. I cherish all the things from the show, and I look forward to all of the future opportunities that life has to offer, post Contender. I can not say that I would or would not do the whole thing again, because it was one of those once in a lifetime experiences.
TalkingBoxing: You have developed strong relationships, namely with Brent Cooper and Alfonso Gomez, tell us what those friendships mean to you.
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: Those friendships mean everything to me. I feel very fortunate that I did not have to fight Brent Cooper, and that I was given a chance to fight and beat Anthony Bonstante, instead. I will cherish my friendship with both of these fighters, Alfonso, and Brent for a lifetime.
TalkingBoxing: Moving on the boxing, I know you would like to fight Jesse Brinkley and beat him, do you think that fight will happen?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: Like I said before, I want the above fighters, Alfonso, and Sergio. In my opinion, fighting Jesse is of no interest to me. He just lost to a welterweight. Fighting him right now and dishing him a third loss will do nothing for me. He needs to fight someone, and win, before I might be interested in a fight with him.
TalkingBoxing: What weight do you want to fight at 154 or 160, and if is 154 how would a fight against a Kassim Ouma sound?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: I think that I am going to campaign at Junior Middleweight for right now; however, if a big fight comes up at 160, then of course I will have to consider it. I feel comfortable at that weight also. I definitely think that a fight with me and Kassim Ouma, would be a great fight. I think that he is a good fighter, but with me and Joe working together, I know that we could beat him.
TalkingBoxing: I know you have a history with Fernando Vargas, sparring with him in the past, would you like to fight him, and if so, how do you see that fight playing out?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: Fernando Vargas is a great person, and a good fighter. I think that, fighting Fernando would be a great fight, but I think with the team that I have in place; I would be victorious in that fight at 154 or 160. I think that I am a better all around fighter right now. He would not be able to hit me with what he has been taught. I know the things that he is learning, and my defense that I am learning Joe is what would enable me to win a fight against him. I believe that there is nothing that he could do in a fight; that my team and I are not comfortable with.
TalkingBoxing: What do you have to say to all your fans out there?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: Thanks a lot to all of the fans that emailed me, to send all of your well wishes, and to give support during and after the show. Thank you all for voting in the Fan Favorite voting on Yahoo. It is because of all of you that I was even able to fight Anthony. I appreciate all of the support, and acknowledgement of me and my family that you have all given me, on behalf of this show. I do not take it for granted that I have been blessed with a talent that touches so many, and with God’s help I will be able to continue on this path.
TalkingBoxing: What can boxing expect from Sugar Shay Smith in the coming year?
"Sugar Shay" Ishe Smith: I believe that you can expect big things from me this year! Of course there is one fight out there that I want more than any other fight, and that is Sergio Mora. I want to fight big and important fights, I am excited about my team and what I am about to do in the sport of boxing. I believe that I am going to make my mark on the boxing world this year. I am excited and I am looking forward to working with whoever my next promoter will be this year, and I know that they will not be disappointed. I know that the next seven years are going to be the best years of my life.
