Smith: Erislandy Lara is No Boogeyman To Worry About

By Edward Chaykovsky

Former International Boxing Federation [IBF] junior middleweight champion Ishe Smith will get a second chance to capture a world title when he challenges 'WBA' regular champion Erislandy Lara over twelve rounds at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 2 in Las Vegas. The FS1 televised card takes place on the eve of the Mayweather-Maidana Showtime PPV from the MGM Grand.

Smith lost his title to Carlos Molina last September on the Mayweather-Canelo undercard.

Lara (19-1-2, 12KOs), avoided by many of the top fighters, is a heavy favorite to defeat Smith (25-6, 11KOs). This could be Smith's final attempt at a world title and he plans to make the most of it.

“It’s still Floyd’s belt as far as I’m concerned,” Smith told Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal. “I’m just going to bring it back into the family.”

“I don’t see no boogeyman to worry about. I respect him, but I just need to be myself and fight my fight.”