By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene.com recently spoke to former Contender series participant Ishe Smith. The Las Vegas resident advised us that he no longer is being promoted by Lou DiBella and that the two sides had came to a mutual agreement to part ways.
According to Smith, DiBella told him that he wasn't able to land him the type of fights that he deserved and that by parting ways Smith may be able to land more meaningful fights.
Smith released the following statement:
"I have a lot of respect for Lou and everyone at DBE, Lou came to me as a friend and told me he has tried his hardest to get me a fight and that it was a high risk no reward type of situation with these fighters.
Rather than to hold me back, he personally told me I had a family to feed and he considered me a friend and I needed to do what was best for them. He said maybe removing himself from the equation will bring me some fights and if not he would help me out in the future.
Lou and I had some great fights together. The Danny Jacobs and Fernando Guerrero fights are two examples. I love what he did for me, he help revitalize my career and get me back on track, and for that I am forever grateful. I have long dreamed for a fight in the UK, maybe this dream will become a reality very soon.
I don't know what God is up to, but I do know I have a lot of fight left in me, and I am going to do everything I can to keep giving the fans great fights. It was the fans who called for better fights from me; I listened to what they were saying and answered the call, even in defeat I still consider the Guerrero fight my best performance."
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