Carlos Molina of Chicago took a junior middleweight world title from Ishe Smith via split-decision underneath the Floyd Mayweather-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez junior middleweight title fight (on Showtime pay-per-view).
It was about as boring a 12-round fight as one can imagine. Molina won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 with the third score going to Smith by a 116-112 count.
Ishe Smith of Las Vegas on Feb. 23 realized a lifelong dream of becoming a world champion when he won a major junior middleweight belt with a majority decision over Cornelius Bundrage in Detroit. Smith on Monday was honored by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for becoming the first Las Vegas-born world champion.
“In my wildest dreams I would have never thought I would see the day when Las Vegas, my city and my hometown, would recognize my work and efforts to make this city proud.” Smith said during the presentation. “I am humbled and extremely touched by the proclamation I received today. I would like to thank my fans and family for all of their unconditional love and support. I am cognizant that all of this wouldn’t be possible without the help of my trainers and the opportunities I’ve been afforded by the Mayweather Promotions family.”
Smith, 35, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions.
Smith, 25-5 with 11 knockouts, will make the first defense of his belt when he takes on Carlos Molina (21-5-2, 6 KOs) of Chicago on Sept. 14 on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (on Showtime pay-per-view).
It took Ishe Smith nearly 13 years to win a major world title. He did that when he defeated Cornelius Bundrage via majority decision in February to take a junior middleweight belt.
Smith, of Las Vegas, will have to wait a little longer to make his first defense. It was slated for July 19 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas against Carlos Molina of Chicago, but Smith has sustained a cut over his right eye in sparring, and that fight has been postponed.
A new date has not been set.
The card, which is to be televised by Showtime, will go on as planned. One of the two featured TV bouts will see John Molina (25-3, 20 KOs) of Covina taking on undefeated Mickey Bey (18-0-1, 9 KOs). Bey, a super featherweight from Cleveland, will be moving up in weight to take on Molina in the lightweight division.