08.12.03 – It will be a battle between once and future kings at the Chumash Casino Resort, in beautiful Santa Ynez, CA., when Gary Shaw Productions, LLC (GSP) presents undefeated welterweight contender, “SUGAR SHAY” ISHE SMITH and former two-time world champion Randall Bailey in the main event on SHOWTIME’S SHOBox: The New Generation, Thursday, January 15. The broadcast will begin at 11 P.M. EST (Live) / 11 P.M. PST (Tape-Delay). Smith and Bailey, who have a combined record of 40-3 (33 KOs) — a winning percentage of 93% — will be fighting for the vacant USBA and WBC Continental Americas welterweight titles.
Smith, 13-0 (7 KOs), from Las Vegas, NV, finished his first year under the GSP promotional umbrella, winning all three of his nationally televised fights on SHOWTIME and ESPN2. In only his 11th professional fight, Smith pitched a virtual shutout against former world title challenger Sam Garr, 33-6, in his SHOBox debut last April, winning a unanimous decision with scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91. Smith followed that fight with second-round knockout of former USBA champion Sal Lopez, 18-4-2, in June, on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” which also marked boxing’s debut at the Home Depot Center in Dominguez Hills, CA. Smith saved the best for last, going mano-a-mano against undefeated contender David Estrada, 15-0, in July, winning a unanimous 10-round decision, again on SHOBox. The judges’ scores were a lopsided 98-92, 97-92, 97-93.
The inexperienced Smith who began 2003 at 10-0, ended the year as a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division, remaining undefeated against three opponents who had a cumulative record of 66-10-2 — a winning percentage of 83.5%!
Smith dedicated the summer to being the lead sparring partner for Sugar Shane Mosley, where he successfully prepared Mosley for his dramatic unanimous decision victory over WBC/WBA super welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya.
“Sugar Shay” is the sole feature in the current issue of The Ring’s two-page spread “New Faces,” the exclamation point to a banner year which saw Smith not only advance to 10-round fights, but in the world ratings too. He is currently world-rated No. 13 by the IBF.
“‘Sugar Shay’ is the sweetest fighter in the welterweight division,” said Shaw. “It was a breakthrough year for him. ‘Sugar Shay’ had no problem stepping up to 10-round fights. He was successful against more experienced higher quality opposition. And he more than held his own sparring in training camp with Sugar Shane Mosley. I am very confident ‘Sugar Shay’ will pass his next big test against Randall Bailey, ‘Sugar Shay’s’ first Top-10 opponent, and win his first title fight.”
Bailey, 27-3 (26 KOs), from Miami, FL, is no stranger to the winner’s circle with a resume that boasts two reigns as a world champion. Bailey dethroned WBO jr. welterweight champion Carlos Gonzalez in 1999, via a first-round knockout. He successfully defended the title twice – both by knockout – before losing it via a close split decision to Ener Julio 14 months later. Bailey captured the WBA super lightweight title last year, knocking out Demetrio Ceballos in the third round. Since losing the WBA title to Diosbelys Hurtado, Bailey has won two of his last three. His sole loss was to WBO jr. welterweight champion DeMarcus Corley in January, via a 12-round decision. Bailey is currently world-rated No. 8 by the WBA.
The Chumash Casino Resort is located in Santa Barbara County, California, between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. In its 190,000 square foot facility, the Chumash Casino Resort offers Las Vegas-style gaming, 24-hours seven days a week. Tickets are expected to go on sale soon.