Ishe Smith has informed Boxingtalk that a fight between himself and former IBF light middleweight champion, Kassim Ouma is under discussion. This fight, if goes through, will be in January on ESPN.
BT – What's the latest Ishe?
IS – How are you doing Brad, good to be back on.
BT – Shay you got our mailbag dropped on you (laughs).
IS – I have been doing it for so many years, and I get emails from guys asking me why I am the only one that does it.  I think I am one of the only fighters that gets involved in the mailbags.  I enjoy doing it, I really do.
BT – What's the latest with your career? It's been awhile since you have been in the ring.
IS – I was informed that Kassim Ouma is in the works for early next year.  I would love to have that fight, he is coming off of a loss [to Saul Roman].  I lost in my last effort, but to a better name [Sechew Powell].  Seeno Group asked me if I would be interested in the fight, and I told them yes. Hopefully the Golden Boy side will accept this fight, and we can get it done for early next year.
BT – Ironically you thought you had a fight with Ouma wrapped up when you was still with Golden Boy, and then in a few minutes you didn't.  Do you have any concerns about getting your hopes up again, and then not get the fight again?
IS – Well, it would show where he's at as a fighter if it doesn't happen again.  No dollar amount was even thrown my way, and I already said 'yes'.  I am willing to take this fight AGAIN, and if it doesn't happen it won't be because of me.  I accepted this fight right away, so if it doesn't happen it will show their mindset.  He's coming off of a loss, a devastating loss [via decision], so hopefully he will accept the terms for this fight.
BT – Did Golden Boy contact Seeno Group, or did Seeno Group contact Golden Boy?
IS – Well I don't really know the particulars involved in it.  I know Seeno Group has been dealing with ESPN, trying to make the fight for mid-January.  I got a call from Seeno group asking me if I would be interested in fighting Kassim Ouma, and I immediately said, 'yes.'  I have always taken tough challenges in my career. I am still young in my career.  To me this is a crossroads fight, it's do or die for me.
BT – Your last fight was a close one, you came up short against Sechew Powell, and Kassim just lost his last fight. What does that do to the hype of this potential fight?
IS – I think it's a good fight because both guys have a lot to lose.  This isn't like football where you can lose one week, and then come back and win the super bowl.  I haven't fought since February, I think both of us will let it all hang out.  His loss was a major setback, he was calling Shane Mosley out before his loss.  I feel this is a fight that will be a great fight, were both going to come in there, and neither of our wills will be broken easily.  I hope that ESPN makes the fight happen, and Kassim steps up and takes the fight.  It's not like HBO is going to be calling Kassim anytime soon now.
BT – I think ESPN would jump on this fight, I doubt they turn it down.
IS – Sometimes I am amazed that I still get recognized from my part on the first Contender series show.  I feel the first show was ages ago, I get people that still come up to me and recognize me.  When I fought Sechew Powell, that was a bad style match up.  This guy, Ouma will make me fight, he's the kind of fight that I have been looking for.  It was brought to earlier in the year, and now it's brought to me again, I accepted it, so lets see what happens.
BT – If the fight happens, how will you deal with a guy that throws a thousand punches a round?
IS – He imposes his will on you, but there's nothing spectacular about him.  He tries to impose his will, but that brings out the animal in me.  I think it's going to be toe to toe action because he will be right there in front of me.  I have all the respect for Kassim and his team, I respect where he comes from, and what he has been through over in Africa.
BT – Put it into your words what a win over Kassim Ouma would do for your career.
IS – It would do great things for my career.  He's coming off of a loss, but both of us are good fighters.  I was ranked in the top of all of the sanctioning bodies, he's a former world champion.  This is a fight where the loser will take a hit, and boxing needs fights like that.  I would seriously have to re evaluate my life if I lost to him.  I am serious about this that much, so if I lost I would have to sit down and ask myself if this is something I should still be doing.
BT – Give me your thoughts on the Contender 3 finale between Sakio Bika and Jaidon Codrington.
IS – I thought it was a great fight.  I think that the contender people are really selling a great product right now.  I think Codrington and Bika put on a great fight, a great show.  I am not sure where The Contender goes from here, maybe between 140 pounds and 168.  I think one day they should do an all-star cast, and bring us all back and have us fight at a catch weight. Â
BT – Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?
IS – I want to thank the fans for their support, and for wishing me the best.  Be prayerful for me, and I hope that this fight comes off.  The next time that I lose it will be from my back, no more decisions.  It's time to step up to the plate and make it happen.