GL: What's the latest and greatest Shay? "I'm just getting ready, getting ready to punish this guy. People already know we don't like each other that much and on February 17 he's going to get the worst beating of his life."

GL: You accepted this fight immediately, where does this grudge with Sechew stem from?

Ishe Smith: "Basically it came from Boxingtalk. During the taping of the Contender, all of a sudden he felt the need to call me out and say I was a good looking dude and then we went back and forth for a while. Instead of mentioning my name he should have been stepping up his game so he wouldn't have his heart taken by Kassim Ouma. He just gave up in the fight. I respect Lou DiBella and what he does for boxing but he's going to be one prospect short after February 17."

GL: Why do you refer to Sechew as 'my little pony?' His nickname is the Iron Horse and everytime we talk you refer to him as My little Pony.

IS: "When I think of a horse, I think of something big and strong. When I see Sechew Powell I don't see nothing big and strong, I see a soft guy with stringy hair. I'm going to go out there to punish him in his backyard and then I'm going to put my son on his back so he can ride him because that's what he is, a pony. And what's the deal with his mohawk? Mohawks belong on Chad Johnson or Mr. T. He's soft man, if he's going to have a mohawk it should be pink. When I come to New York I'm going to bring a my little pony shirt for him."

GL: Sechew didn't fight last week as planned. I imagine he didn't fight because he didn't want to risk his February 17 fight with you. How do you feel about that?

IS: "That was probably a smart thing because he needs to get his body ready for that punishment. There's no excuses come February 17 and I'm telling you on February 17 he's going to take the worst beating he's ever took in his life. I'm going to punish him. Even if I hurt him and he starts shaking, I'm not going to knock him out I'm going to punih him and humiliate him in his backyard."

GL: Who will be training you for this fight?

IS: "It's going to be my man John David Jackson, a master southpaw who is going to come up with the right game plan. I respect Lou, but this is the worst fight Sechew Powell has ever taken."

GL: Obviously this fight taking place on HBO is the kind of opportunity you've been looking for. What's your biggest motivation for February 17?

IS: "I've definitely got to thank HBO for accpeting this fight for their network. This is my chance to showcase myself and I'm going to make the most of it. I've been fighting for 23 years and it's time for me to show the world that I can be the best at what I do. February 17 is the start to me. And tell your boy Vernon Forrest he needs to get his body right before he starts calling out guys for fights. Every other interview, it's his shoulder or his knee. After I finish disposing of Sechew Powell, I'll slap Vernon Forrest around on May 5 so he could get it to. After I stop Sechew, Ike Quartey, Vernon Forrest or whoever else can get it May 5. I've been hearing Vernon Forrest name come up for a fight with Grady Brewer, but he needs to get his shoulder right. Yeah he beat my stablemate Shane Mosley, but he's still not as popular as Shane is. He could walk down the Vegas strip and not get recognized, and how did he follow his big wins? He came out and got stopped in three rounds."

GL: You said after I stop Sechew, I imagine you don't see this fight going the distance?

IS: "Nope, no way. What I saw from him in his fight with Kassim Ouma was no heart, he quit and he stopped trying. Kassim Ouma moved up in weight and showed real heart and he never stopped trying. People respect that. Sechew folded under pressure against ouma. On February 17, I'm not only going to make him quit mentally, I'm going to make him quit on his stool and Al Mitchell is going to be yelling at him. This is the worst decision they could have ever made. From round one on it's going to be nothing but punishment."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

IS: "My closing thoughts are, I'm excited about this fight. This is the kind of opportunity I've been waiting for, I would like to thank Golden Boy, Lou DiBella and Boxingtalk for getting this grudge match started over a year ago. I'm training hard to punish this cat, my prediction for this fight is PAIN."

M

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