Despite defeat, Smith inspired to continue

He didn’t win another world title, but Ishe Smith left the ring in San Antonio last month with his dignity intact and the knowledge he’s not through as a boxer.

The junior middleweight from Las Vegas lost a decision to World Boxing Association champion Erislandy Lara on Dec. 12. But Smith thought he held his own, and even though he will be 37 in July, he intends to fight this year.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “Lara was tough to fight. He’s very awkward, and he doesn’t let you land a clean punch. But I thought I did a good job of taking the fight to him, and I followed the game plan. We just came up short.”

Smith (26-7, 12 knockouts) said Floyd Mayweather Jr., his promoter, offered some encouraging words after the loss.

“Floyd told me he thought it was the best he’d seen me fight,” Smith said. “He said he’s very happy with me and we’re together to the end.”

Smith, who came out of the Lara fight with no major health issues, hopes to fight as early as March. He said he doesn’t plan any changes to his team, which includes lead trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

Smith, a former International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champ, is hoping for one more title shot before he retires. He would like another fight against Cornelius (K9) Bundrage, who won the IBF belt Oct. 11 when he beat Carlos Molina. Molina won the belt from Smith in 2013 after Smith won the title from Bundrage earlier that year.

“K9. Molina. It doesn’t matter,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t mind a fight with Austin Trout. Any of those guys would be fine with me.”

■ SANTA CRUZ FOE — Leo Santa Cruz finally has an opponent for his Jan. 17 defense of his World Boxing Council super bantamweight title at the MGM Grand Garden.

Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs) will meet Jesus Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KOs) in a 12-round bout that will be the co-main event in support of Bermane Stiverne’s WBC heavyweight title defense against Deontay Wilder.

Santa Cruz, 26, had little problem retaining his title in his last appearance, stopping Manuel Roman in the second round Sept. 13 at the Grand Garden. Ruiz, 24, has won six straight fights, the most recent a unanimous decision over Leonilo Miranda on Nov. 7.

■ HANEY IN RENO — Henderson resident Devin Haney, a two-time national Junior Open champion, headlines a group of 16 local fighters who will compete in the USA Boxing Junior Open and Youth National Championships beginning Monday in Reno.

Haney, 16, moves up to the Youth Division and will fight at lightweight after a successful run as a featherweight.

More than 300 boxers will compete at the event, which runs through Friday at the Grand Sierra Resort.

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