"THE ONE" PPV CARD IS COMPLETE WITH A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT BETWEEN ISHE SMITH AND CARLOS MOLINA & WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST FEATURING PABLO CESAR CANO AGAINST ASHLEY THEOPHANE

"THE ONE" PPV CARD IS COMPLETE WITH A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT BETWEEN ISHE SMITH AND CARLOS MOLINA & WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST FEATURING PABLO CESAR CANO AGAINST ASHLEY THEOPHANE

"THE ONE" PAY-PER-VIEW CARD IS COMPLETE WITH A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT BETWEEN ISHE SMITH AND CARLOS MOLINA PLUS A WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST FEATURING PABLO CESAR CANO AGAINST ASHLEY THEOPHANE
LIVE ON SHOWTIME PPV®AT 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Just when fight fans thought "THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO" couldn't get any bigger, the opening two Pay-Per-View bouts of the September 14 mega-card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas have been announced, with a third world championship bout and a meeting of two rising stars making this the must-see event of 2013.

In a 12-round battle for the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, Mayweather Promotions star and Las Vegas' own Ishe "Sugar Shay" Smith defends his crown for the first time against feared top contender Carlos Molina. The opening bout on the SHOWTIME PPV will be a 10-round welterweight showdown between Mexico's Pablo Cesar "El Demoledor" Cano and England's Ashley "Treasure" Theophane, the most recent fighter to sign with Mayweather Promotions.

"THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO," a 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather's WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O'Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions.  Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith's IBF Junior Middleweight World Title. Smith vs. Molina is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).

After a long career that saw him go from the world of reality television as a star on "The Contender" to a series of ups and downs at 154 and 160 pounds, Las Vegas' Ishe "Sugar Shay" Smith (25-5, 11 KO's) finally put it all together in late 2010, beginning a four fight winning streak that culminated in a 12 round decision win over Cornelius Bundrage on February 23 earning the 34-year-old the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship. Now the reign of "Sugar Shay" begins with a hometown bout against the always-tough Molina.

Long avoided by the elite at 154 pounds, Patzcuaro, Mexico native Carlos Molina (21-5-2, 6 KO's) is finally getting his shot at championship gold on September 14 after a decade slugging it out in the ring. Now making his home in Chicago, the 30-year-old Molina began making noise with his disputed draw against Erislandy Lara in 2011, and he has since won four of five bouts, defeating former world champions Kermit Cintron and Cory Spinks, with his only loss coming via controversial DQ against James Kirkland in March of 2012.

Mexico's Pablo Cesar "El Demoledor" Cano (26-3-1, 20 KO's), like countryman and headliner Canelo Alvarez, will have a nation in his corner when he steps between the ropes on September 14. Given the controversial nature of his recent decision losses to Paulie Malignaggi and Shane Mosley, the 23-year-old plans on giving the judges the night off by scoring a defining knockout of Theophane. A pro since 2006, Cano can do it all in the ring, and in his first Las Vegas fight since his classic 2011 battle with the legendary Erik Morales, he vows to put on a show. 

A proud native of London, England, 32-year-old Ashley "Treasure" Theophane (33-5-1, 10 KO's) is a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks in the ring and is finally getting his chance to shine on the world stage. A former British junior welterweight champion, the talented Theophane owns victories over Delvin Rodriguez and DeMarcus Corley, and he gave current world champion Danny Garcia one of his toughest fights in 2010 before losing a split decision. Winner of two straight, Theophane is looking to prove that he was made for the bright lights of Las Vegas.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Ishe Smith Wins First World Championship With Split Decision Over Cornelius Bundrage Saturday on SHOWTIME

VETERAN ISHE SMITH WINS FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

WITH SPLIT DECISION OVER CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE

Smith Becomes First Las Vegas Native To Capture A World Title

 Replay 

  Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

Ishe Smith captured the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship and became the first Las Vegas native to win a major world title when he scored a split decision victory over Cornelius “K9” Bundrage in the main event of a special edition of SHOWTIME BOXING at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Mich. 

The fight was scored 116-111 Smith, 114-113 Bundrage and 116-111 Smith, who became the 48^th ShoBox: The New Generation alum to win a world title.

In a fight that started slow and was tough to score in the early rounds, Smith (25-5, 11 KO’s) was the more active fighter and took over in the second half of the bout.  With Bundrage backing up and mostly on the defensive, Smith moved forward and found success with his right hand. 

The 34-year-old Smith, a protégé and close friend of Floyd Mayweather, whose Mayweather Promotions promotes Smith, seemed to be the hungrier fighter and fought with a sense of urgency, knowing that he had to capitalize on his first championship opportunity in his 13^th year as a pro. 

“Thirteen years, man.  That’s all I can say,” said an emotional Smith fighting back tears of joy immediately after the bout.  “It means everything.  Five years ago I was about to kill myself and I thought about my children growing up without a dad and I didn’t do it.  I don’t know what to say.   I didn’t think I’d be here.  I’m so happy for the opportunity. 

“I got hurt in camp and Floyd asked me if I wanted to pull out, but I knew I couldn’t give up.  This was my chance to become a world champion.”

The 39-year-old Bundrage (32-5, 19 KO’s) was disappointed in his performance in front of his hometown fans. 

“Ishe fought a good fight, he won fair and square,” Bundrage said.  “He was the better fighter tonight.  Of course I’ll fight again.  I just need to take it to the next level like when I won the world title.  I didn’t listen to my trainer tonight or follow my game plan.”

In an interview with SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray, Mayweather explained his loyalty to his fellow Las Vegas resident.

“Ishe is my guy.  I love him,” Mayweather said.  “When everybody turned their back on Ishe, I stuck with him.  Everyone turned their back on him and I don’t believe in turning my back on anyone.  SHOWTIME gave him a chance and I have to thank K9 for giving him a chance, too.”

In Saturday’s co-main event, undefeated middleweight prospect J’Leon Love kept his undefeated record intact with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory (100-90, 99-91 twice) over the tough Derrick Findley.

After three fairly even rounds, Love (15-0, 8 KO’s), of Las Vegas, Nev., by way of Detroit, stepped on the gas in the fourth and staggered Findley with a series of punishing combinations that opened up a cut under Findley’s right eye.  While it seemed as if Findley (20-9, 13 KOs), of Gary, Ind., barely survived the round, the bulking boxer bounced back and looked to gain momentum in a few of the latter rounds.

In the 10^th, Love, who was pushed past the eighth round for the first time in his career, kept the pressure on and closed strong with a steady dose of right hands and shots to the body.

“It was a tough learning experience,” Love said.  “Derrick Findley is a tough fighter, but we asked for Derrick Findley.  We asked for a tough fighter.  I’d rather have a tough fighter on my resume than some slouch. 

“He was very, very aggressive.  He gave me some close rounds. but keeping your composure and sticking to the game plan is what I learned.”

The 25-year-old Love had his promoter Mayweather also working as his trainer between rounds in the absence of his usual trainer Roger Mayweather for what proved to be the toughest fight of his career.

“He knows the experience and he knows what I’m going through so there’s nobody better than that,” Love said.

Findley, 28, complained that he got caught with a thumb in his eye early in the bout and that affected his vision. 

“I couldn’t’ see after that,” Findley said.  “He can’t punch.  If he could, I wouldn’t’ have gone forward like I did, but no excuses, he’s the better man tonight.” 

Said Mayweather: “It was rough fight.  We chose Findley because he’s a rough fighter, but when J’Leon faces a tough fight later on down the road, he’ll be ready for that.”

The fights will replay SHOWTIME on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. ET/PT, on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available at SHOWTIME On Demand from Sunday, Feb. 24 through Saturday, March 23.    

Brian Kenny served as host of SHOWTIME BOXING with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi serving as expert analysts with Jim Gray reporting.  The telecast was produced by Raymond Smaltz III, with Bob Dunphy directing.

ABOUT “BUNDRAGE VS. SMITH”:

Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, took place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.  The event was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and was televised live on SHOWTIME.  The co-main event was a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Star Boxer Ishe Smith Credits Las Vegas Orthopedic Surgeon for Title Chance Dr. Jedediah W. Jones successfully treated fellow Las Vegas native’s hand injury, and now the fighter to contest IBF Junior Middleweight Championship Feb. 23

Boxer Ishe Smith wouldn’t be climbing into the ring and fighting for the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship later this month if not for the help of fellow Las Vegas native and resident orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jedediah W. Jones.

“It was Dr. Jones’ care that nurtured me back to health,” said Smith, suffering the serious knuckle injury on his throwing hand during a boxing match in September 2012. “If it wasn’t for his treatment, I would never have had this opportunity. It was a blessing to be able to take this fight because my (knuckle) was in pretty bad shape.”

Smith (24-5, 11 KOs) is attempting to become the first Las Vegas-born fighter to win a world title when he faces current world champion Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage (32-4, 19 KOs) on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Mich., on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

It was just a few months ago that Smith’s career was in limbo because of a hand injury. “Sugar Shay” Smith was facing a mandatory six-month medical layoff by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the 34-year-old boxer knew surgery wasn’t an option because he could be out even longer. So Smith turned to fellow Las Vegas native Jones, an orthopedic surgeon in the Hand Surgery Specialists of Nevada, to create a treatment plan that didn’t involve going under the scalpel.

Dr. Jones examined the metacarpal/phalangeal joint on Smith’s middle finger, diagnosing it as a bruised knuckle and a damaged ligament. The injury didn’t require surgery, rather a detailed treatment program to heal it.

“You need to give the body a chance to heal itself,” said Dr. Jones, who consults on wrist, hand and elbow injuries to UNLV athletes. “I know he wanted to get back to fighting, just like an injured firefighter or police officer who wants to get back to work. (Ishe) understood it was going to take some time to fully heal.”

On the surface a bruised knuckle might seem like a minor injury but for boxers the injury is incredibly painful and potentially career threatening. And if not treated properly, it could be a chronic problem.

“It’s an excruciating pain,” Smith said of the injury. “In boxing, our hands are everything. If I can’t throw that punch without pain, I can’t fight.”;

Dr. Jones put a splint on Smith’s finger and laid out a course of treatment. Smith could work on conditioning and shadow boxing but couldn’t land a punch with the injured hand for six weeks. After that period, Smith was allowed to hit a light bag. Although the fighter suffered a minor setback, the injury fully healed. Smith’s recovery took just four months, not the six months or longer some doctors had anticipated.

Smith, who appeared on the original season of the NBC reality show “Contender,” was grateful to once again be pain free. The boxer calls the orthopedist a “caring doctor who listens” and frequently takes to his Twitter account (@IsheSugarShay) to thank Dr. Jones (@DrJedediahJones).   

More importantly, Smith has confidence in his hand—and ability—as he’s set for his world title fight.

Dr. Jones will be watching and rooting for the Las Vegas native, knowing the human body’s ability to heal itself and patience is sometimes the best medicine.

“I’m just one part of the team,” Dr. Jones said.

Boxer Ishe Smith during a press conference to promote his upcoming fight with Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage. (Photo credit: Golden Boy Promotions/Hoganphotos)

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

SHOBOX RETURNS TO NEW YORK WITH TWO UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS

Jorge Teron (left) and Pawel Wolak (right) pose at a press conference in New York City on July 10, 2008, to announce their Aug. 1 “ShoBox” fight.
Photo Credit; Sal Acquista

NEW YORK– ShoBox: The New Generation returns to New York City for the first time in four years with New Jersey’s own Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (21-0, 14 KOs) as he puts his undefeated record on the line against ShoBox veteran Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (19-3, 19 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout, Friday, Aug. 1, live on SHOWTIME at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

The co-feature pits undefeated, Bronx native Jorge “The Truth” Teron (21-0-1, 14 KOs) against the hard-hitting Mexican, Michael Lozada (29-4-1, 22 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight battle.

The fights will be promoted by Gotham Boxing from the Aviator Arena in Brooklyn, New York.

Born in Poland, “Raging Bull” Wolak has an aggressive, in-your-face style. He is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision victory against then once-beaten Troy Browning on May 17, 2008.

Prior to his fight against Browning, Wolak thrilled boxing fans at Madison Square Garden when he registered a stunning and electrifying second-round knockout of Dupre “Total Package” Strickland on March 15, 2008.

Smith on the other hand is looking to keep his championship hopes alive. This fight is a must win as he’s lost two of his last three fights by unanimous decision – albeit to world-class opposition in Sechew Powell and Joel Julio – and a loss here could be detrimental to his career.

Fighting on ShoBox might be Smith’s good luck charm since he has won his previous three fights on the acclaimed SHOWTIME series.

Smith’s impressive victories on ShoBox provided nationwide notoriety. He notched a decisive unanimous decision win against Randall Bailey, handed David Estrada his first defeat, and outpointed veteran Sam Garr.

Smith gained additional mainstream success when he was tapped to be on the reality TV show The Contender in 2004. He would ultimately be matched against Sergio Mora, the tournament’s eventual winner, where he lost by split decision. Mora went on to become a world champion when he upset Vernon Forrest on June 7, 2008 to win the WBC super welterweight belt via majority decision on SHOWTIME.

The Teron-Lozada fight has the potential to be another explosive match-up. Teron is coming off six impressive knockout victories in his last ten fights while the aggressive Lozada is on an extraordinary run having won seven straight fights by way of knockout.

Teron grew up and still lives in the Bronx, only a subway ride away from the Aviator Arena. He will rely on home court advantage in his continuing quest for a lightweight title.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. ShoBox recently celebrated seven outstanding years on the air.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

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JOEL JULIO TO HEADLINE APRIL 30 WEDNESDAY EDITION OF ESPN2 “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS”; Columbian bomber to battle veteran Ishe Smith on way to title shot

TOTOWA, NJ– World ranked jr. middleweight contender Joel Julio returns to the ring on April 30, 2008, when he challenges veteran Ishe Smith in a 10 round bout from the River Rock Casino Resorts in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. The bout will be broadcast live on a special Wednesday edition of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” beginning at 9:00 pm ET.

“I am very excited to fight again on ESPN,” said Julio. “It is very important to me to look good against Ishe because I want to fight for a world title next. Ishe is a good fighter who will bring out the best in me.”

"Sometimes life and circumstances bring the best out of us all!" said Smith.

Julio (31-1, 29 KO’s) is ranked #4 by the IBF and #6 by the WBA and WBC. The 23-year-old Monteria, Colombia native has stopped 21 opponents within the first three rounds. He has won his last four bouts, three by knockout. In 2005 Julio was named “Prospect of the Year” by several media outlets, including ESPN.com. In his last bout on May 16, 2007, Julio blasted Mauro Lucero in one round (KO 1).

Smith (19-2, 9 KO’s) has won four of his last five bouts. The 29-year-old Las Vegas, NV native captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship on January 15, 2004, when he decisioned Randall Bailey (W 12). That same year Smith participated in “The Contender” series and lost a split decision to eventual champion Sergio Mora on September 12, 2004 (L 5). In his last bout on February 8, 2008, Smith crushed Carlos De La Cruz in two rounds (TKO 2).


For more info, Main Events: Donald Tremblay

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved