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By Jake Donovan - For decades, Las Vegas has been known as the boxing capital of the world, though a town without a homegrown major titlist.
Ishe Smith finally put an end to that drought, becoming the first-ever Vegas-born fighter to win a belt Saturday evening. The hard-luck veteran did so in hostile territory, taking a split decision over Cornelius Bundrage in the defending titlist’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
Scores were 116-111 (twice) for Smith and 114-113 for Bundrage in their Showtime-televised main event.
Smith’s second-half run and emotional post-fight interview made for a memorable evening even when the action in the ring didn’t always accomplish that feat.
The bout began painfully slow, as neither fighter offered much more than a jab in the early going. Bundrage was docked a point in round two for extracurricular activity during a lull, hitting Smith on the break and then again after shoving him to the canvas. There was initial confusion as to the deduction, as referee Sam Williams sent both fighters to the corner and deducted a point without saying who was being penalized and why. [Click Here To Read More]
Ishe Smith finally put an end to that drought, becoming the first-ever Vegas-born fighter to win a belt Saturday evening. The hard-luck veteran did so in hostile territory, taking a split decision over Cornelius Bundrage in the defending titlist’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
Scores were 116-111 (twice) for Smith and 114-113 for Bundrage in their Showtime-televised main event.
Smith’s second-half run and emotional post-fight interview made for a memorable evening even when the action in the ring didn’t always accomplish that feat.
The bout began painfully slow, as neither fighter offered much more than a jab in the early going. Bundrage was docked a point in round two for extracurricular activity during a lull, hitting Smith on the break and then again after shoving him to the canvas. There was initial confusion as to the deduction, as referee Sam Williams sent both fighters to the corner and deducted a point without saying who was being penalized and why. [Click Here To Read More]
114-113 for Bundrage.....
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