After a career that included fights against numerous world-class boxers and a title reign of his own, Ishe Smith calls it quits.
Smith went to Twitter to make the announcement shortly after getting stopped by Erickson Lubin on the undercard of Gervonta Davis' first-round knockout win over Hugo Ruiz in Carson, California. Smith was knocked down multiple times throughout the fight, which ended in the third round.
Love you guys, trust me this game won’t get the best of me, I’m done, I did it my way, going out on my terms, it was a great shot I never seen, never recovered either, no excuses from this end. Young mans game, 19 years is a story book for me, I can bow out gracefully.
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) February 10, 2019
Smith retires after fighting professionally since 2000. The 40-year-old Smith has faced several world champions and some of the biggest names of his time as a boxer, including Sergio Mora, Daniel Jacobs, Erislandy Lara, Cornelius Bundrage and Tony Harrison. Smith would ultimately get his shot at a world title in 2013 and won the IBF junior middleweight title with a majority decision win over Bundrage. Smith lost the belt in his first title defense when he lost a split decision to Carlos Molina.
After a bounce back victory, Smith got a shot at Lara's WBA world title in 2014, but Lara won the fight by unanimous decision. Smith retires with a 29-11 pro record and on a three-fight losing streak.
