Las Vegan Smith returns to ring with TKO victory following lengthy layoff

Ishe Smith had no intention of taking a lengthy sabbatical from boxing. But when the Las Vegas junior middleweight couldn't get anyone to promote him, he was forced to put his career on hold.

Smith, who last fought on Nov. 5, 2010, returned Friday with an impressive fourth-round technical knockout over Ayi Bruce in their 10-round bout at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Smith (23-5) didn't show much ring rust. He used an effective left jab to set up some good right hands to the head and body and keep Bruce at a safe distance.

By the third round, Smith appeared to have found his rhythm. He was starting to put his combinations together nicely, setting the stage for the TKO.

Smith landed three jabs, followed by two rights early in the fourth. With about a minute left, Smith nailed Bruce (21-7) with a big overhand right, followed by a flurry of punches. Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight at the 2:10 mark.

"It's been real hard being away," Smith said. "I never dreamed I'd be out this long. People were saying to me that I was too good and nobody wanted to fight me."

The plan is to get Smith back in the ring in the next couple of months. "I think there's some good fights for me at 154 (pounds)," he said. "We've been working on this for five years, and all the pieces are coming together."

In the 10-round main event, Daniel Ponce De Leon defeated Eduardo Lazcano by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC USNBC super featherweight belt.

Ponce De Leon (43-4) attacked early and often against Lazcano (24-3) and was never in trouble. He won 100-90 on all three scorecards.

"I didn't think it would be this easy," Ponce De Leon said. "I tried to knock him out. I hit him so hard my hand is sore, but he wouldn't go down."

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