LAS VEGAS (Aug. 9, 2016) – Former world champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (28-8, 12 KOs) is set to battle once-beaten contender Frank “Notorious” Galarza (17-1-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV Friday, Sept.16 from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Doors to The Chelsea will open at 4 p.m. PDT with televised coverage on Bounce TV beginning at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT. The fight night also features super welterweight contender Chris “Young King” Pearson (14-1, 10 KOs) taking on Justin “The Chosen One” DeLoach (15-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.
“I’m the type to always stay in good condition so I will be ready to get in on fight night,” said Smith. “I’m deep into training and I’m planning on delivering a great hard fight for all the fans to enjoy. I’m focused on this fight but my goal is to get the world title back.”
“I feel great and I’m ready for a chance to redeem myself,” said Galarza. “I know Ishe is an experienced fighter but this is a shot for me to get back to the top level. I can’t wait to show the boxing world what I am made of.”
“I’m very excited to get back in the ring against a good opponent,” said DeLoach. “This has been a great year for me and it seems to keep getting better. I’m looking forward to a great fight and heading to Las Vegas to handle my business. I’m fighting for my whole city, my family and my fans. I won’t let them down!”
“I’m familiar with my opponent and I’m treating this like a world title fight,” said Pearson. “I feel like getting this victory will put me right at the top of the division. We’re both hungry and want to prove that we have what it takes to be world champions. I’m preparing to be at my very best because of the caliber of fight this is.”
Promoted by Mayweather Promotions, tickets for the general public will go on-sale Friday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. PDT. Venue pre-sale begins Thursday, August 11 at 10 a.m. PDT. Ticket prices start at $29, and are available online at: www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.
After a long career that saw him go from the world of reality television as a star on “The Contender” to competing at the top level at 154 and 160 pounds, Smith finally put it all together in 2010, beginning a four-fight winning streak that culminated in a decision win over Cornelius Bundrage for a super welterweight world title in 2013, becoming the first native Las Vegan to ever win a world title. He continues to seek another world title shot as he picked up victories over Cecil McCalla and Tommy Rainone in 2015.
A contender in the 154-pound division, Galarza won six straight fights dating back to the start of 2014 before dropping a contest to unbeaten Jarrett Hurd last November. A Brooklyn native who turned pro in 2010, the popular Galarza has inspired many with his personal story of perseverance. The 30-year-old won seven of eight fights within the distance leading up to his last fight.
The 25-year-old Pearson bounced back from his first defeat with a dominant decision victory over Joshua Okine. The Dayton, Ohio-born product previously picked up victories over Lanardo Tyner, Janks Trotter, Steve Martinez and Said El Harrak in the last two years after an outstanding amateur career that saw him capture a National Championship in 2011.
In his first bout of 2016, the 22-year-old DeLoach delivered a sensational knockout over previously unbeaten Dillon Cook in his debut with new trainer and former world champion Paul Williams. DeLoach followed that up by knocking down previously unbeaten Junior Castillo twice on his way to a unanimous decision victory in June. The fighter from Augusta, Georgia turned pro in 2013 and won his first 10 fights before suffering a defeat in early 2015. He enters this bout on a five-fight win streak.
