Las Vegan Ishe Smith hopes to get back on upswing in ring

Ishe Smith was trying to remember the last time he was on ESPN.

“It’s been awhile,” he said.

Try 2010.

The former International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion from Las Vegas has had his share of ups and downs over his 16-year professional career. Tonight at the Palms, Smith looks to pick himself up, dust himself off and get back on track as he faces Cecil McCalla in the 10-round main event, which will be televised on ESPN2.

“I’m not holding any grudges,” said Smith (26-7, 12 knockouts). “At the time, (ESPN) didn’t want me. But that was then and this is now, and I’m glad to be back on network TV.”

Smith had a tough time in his last ring appearance, as World Boxing Association champion Erislandy Lara dominated him on Dec. 12 in San Antonio and won a 12-round unanimous decision. His awkward style made it difficult for Smith to work inside and get a clean shot at him.

“I did the best I could given who I was fighting,” Smith said. “But the reception I’ve received from the fans after I lost to Lara has been amazing. It’s really lifted my spirits.”

Smith is 36 years old, but he has no exit strategy to leave boxing at this point. He won the IBF title on Feb. 23, 2013, but kept it just seven months.

He’d like to acquire one more title before he’s through.

“I think about all my comrades like Augie Sanchez who I broke into boxing with and I’m still here,” Smith said. “I was looking to stay until I turned 40. But I feel good and I’m still able to fight at a high level, and my body’s not really beat up. I’m thinking more like 42 now.”

McCalla is 20-1 with seven KOs. But Smith said McCalla hasn’t been in the ring with the kind of competition he has.

“He’s going to see this a different level than where he’s been,” Smith said. “I’ve fought some of the best junior middleweights in the world the last three years. You fight guys like Lara, (Carlos) Molina and K-9 (Cornelius Bundrage), you’re talking some of the best, just behind Canelo (Alvarez). I’ve got an experience edge and I prepared really well for this fight. I didn’t overtrain. My sparring was great and I’m ready to go.”

Smith said the plan is to take the fight right to McCalla and not give him any feeling of confidence.

“It’s a 10-round fight, and you don’t want to give any rounds away,” Smith said. “We’re going right after him and use the jab and the combinations and get busy on him. But you never take anyone for granted. He only has one loss, so he’s got some ability.”

Smith said he’s come back from losses before and he expects to do so tonight.

“It’s boxing,” he said. “When you lose, you try and learn from it and come back better and stronger the next time. I’ll bounce back again.”

First bell for the card is 3:15 p.m. The televised portion of the card begins at 6 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.