By Ryan Burton
Former Contender series participant Ishe Smith reached out to BoxingScene.com to let the world know that he is willing to face WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog in his home country of Russia.
BoxingScene ran an article earlier today that stated Pirog's first title defense of the belt he won when he defeated Danny Jacobs with a highlight reel knockout was being pushed back to March 26th. It had been previously scheduled for March 11th.
Smith told BoxingScene, "If he (Pirog) needs an opponent for March 26th I will go to Russia in a heartbeat!"
Pirog's victory over Jacobs was his first fight in the United States. Jacobs grandmother passed away just days prior to the fight and Smith doesn't think Jacobs was at his best in the fight and he feels that Pirog has more to prove.
"He needs to prove himself besides beating a Danny Jacobs who didn't seem like he was all there."
Smith feels he would provide Pirog with his toughest fight to date. He also stated that he had been previously offered a fight with Pirog on 3 weeks notice. The Las Vegas resident says that he would accept the fight this time around because he would have enough time to hold a full training camp. " If he needs a test I will provide it for him. They offered me the fight last year on 3 weeks notice in Russia. Now there is plenty of time (to get ready). Let's do it!"
Smith last fought in November when he stopped Alexander Quiroz in 2 rounds.
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