Ishe Smith-Carlos Molina Heads To Hard Rock, 7/19

By Mike Coppinger

According to Ishe Smith, he'll make the first defense of his IBF 154-pound belt on July 19 against mandatory challenger Carlos Molina, the main event of Showtime Championship Boxing from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Smith (25-5, 11 KOs) won the title (his first major belt as a pro) with a decision victory over Corneilus Bundrage in Februrary. Molina (21-5-2, 6 KOs) became the mandatory with his wipeout victory over Cory Spinks in the same month.

Molina's best performance as a pro came against James Kirkland in 2012, a controversial fight most had him winning before he was disqualified. This will be Molina's first title shot.

There's no word yet on the undercard.

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