Mihtar
to Fight Ishe Smith After weeks of anticipation it is a done deal. The contract is signed. Dearborn’s Brian “The Lion” Mihtar (10-1-0, 9 KO) will face Ishe Smith (20-3-0, 9 KO) on May 8. The decision was announced to Sportssummary by Mihtar’s brother and advisor, Ray, a week ago. He is understandably excited about the stepped-up opponent that Smith represents and also the chance to fight outside of Michigan where getting a fight has often been difficult. The in-state scene is dominated by heavy-handed promoter Carlos Llinas and he and the Mihtars are not on friendly terms of late.
Next months fight at Las Vegas’ Plaza Hotel & Casino will be Mihtar’s third fight outside of Michigan (both previous ones were in Florida). It will be Smith’s first fight in his hometown in four years. Manager Greg Leon has represented Smith for twenty months and said making fights has also become a problem with Smith because of his 20-3 record and his appearance on NBC’s “The Contender.” “It’s very difficult to get him fights,” Leon told Sportssummary last week. “The boxing landscape is scarce.” He said nothing particular about Mihtar as an opponent. Ray Mihtar not only advises his brother but also tries to create a buzz to help promote the fighter. With Smith he was no different, calling the former NABO, USBA and WBC Continental Americas champ “over-rated.” “He’s a television show fighter,” Ray Mihtar said on Monday. “He’s a soap opera star.” For his part, Brian Mihtar is more reserved in his remarks preferring to do his talking in the ring. “I’m
very confident,” the Dearborn fighter told Sportssummary on
Monday. “This is my time to shine.”
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