Ellerbe: Harrison doesn't bring anything that Ishe can't overcome

By Ryan Burton

Former super welterweight champion Ishe Smith (29-9) returns to the ring against Tony Harrison (26-2) in a Bounce TV main event that will be the latest installment in the Premier Boxing Champions series. 

The fight takes place at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 39-year-old Smith last fought in November when he lost a spirited decision against former title challenger Julian Williams. The fight was much more competitive than the 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 scores indicated.

Mayweather Promotions' CEO Leonard Ellerbe believes his fighter is only one victory away from putting himself back in position for a big fight.

"I think this fight will put him back in the thick of things as I say. It puts him in a much better situation to go after something significant and we are on the same page with that. I think that Ishe is the type of guy that guys aren't raising their hand to fight. These young guys even coming off the performance in the Julian Williams fight - I personally look at it like he got a second wind. You know how a fighter gets to a point in the fight where they get their second wind - I think he is refreshed," Ellerbe stated at Smith's media day earlier this week at the Mayweather Boxing Club.

Smith won the IBF super welterweight titled when he traveled to Cornelius Bundrage's hometown in 2013 and won a majority decision. He lost the title to Carlos Molina via split decision in his next fight.

Ellerbe is confident that Smith's batteries were recharged during his 14 month layoff prior to the Williams fight and is very confident that he is not past his prime and that he still has a lot to give to the sport.

"Something happened in his life and his career - and he has been through a lot - where he took a different kind of approach. He definitely has a more fan friendly style now wouldn't you agree with that? I think that has definitely made a difference in his approach. He is not fighting like he is 39. For him to compete at the level he is competing at - and he has been in there with everybody. There is nothing that Tony is going to bring to the table that he hasn't seen or won't be able to overcome. He is able to tap down into his younger side and he is fighting like that and I think the other 54' pounders out there saw that. He saw that the 54' pound weight class is a very deep position with a lot of possibilities. When you look at the landscape can he beat some of those guys? Of course he can," said Ellerbe.

In the televised co-feature bout of the evening, unbeaten cruiserweight contender Andrew Tabiti (15-0) will face rugged veteran Lateef Kayode (21-2).

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