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LOS ANGELES DAILY MAIL

Sunday, 17 September, 2006

SMITH'S FAIRYTALE RIDE CONTINUES

Story by Frank Jackson

For the second fight in a row Los Angeles-born featherweight boxer Solly Smith has overcame both a hostile crowd and expert opinion to emerge with an unlikely victory. Last night he scored a unanimous decision win over hometown favourite Keith Harrison at Texas Stadium in the semi-finals of the International Boxing League's World Championship tournament. It followed June's triumph against the #1-seeded Mexican Juan Meza, Smith stopping him in the 6th round of a bout he was clearly losing. The 25 year-old is of Mexican and Irish heritage but, as already mentioned, has succeeded with barely any crowd support in both of his wins. Meza enjoyed a huge backing in Saltillo while Harrison is one of Texas' most popular athletes. Smith beat them both and his achievement must surely be the biggest story to have come out of these IBL tournaments.

The win over Harrison was not nearly as dramatic as the one against Meza, but it was another example of the 8th-seeded Smith digging deep when he looked like losing. Harrison had been the better man through the opening half of the contest and led by two points on two of the scorecards heading into the 7th. Each round had been close and competitive but Harrison was doing just enough to win a greater share of frames. But Smith stole the momentum in the 7th and kept it by dominating rounds eight and nine and then capped his fantastic rally by flooring Harrison with a single right cross midway through the 10th. Harrison had looked good during the first ninety seconds but Smith undid all of that good work with a single punch. The Texan was on his feet at eight but Smith followed up nicely, landing a big right hand and a pair of combinations before the round was over.

Harrison finished the contest strongly but Smith's fightback ended up being crucial. He took the verdict by scores of 115-112 and 114-113 (x2), outlanding Harrison 295-265. Smith shouted and pumped his fist when revealed as the winner, his corner crew erupting also. Amongst them was fellow LA native James Toney, who had made the trip from their hometown after fighting at the Staples Center on Friday night. Smith's best friend and fellow IBL competitor Ken Norton could not be present as he is currently in Russia preparing for his own world championship semi-final, which takes place on Friday. Smith said that Norton's words of advice and encouragement from a number of conversations they'd shared during the previous week really helped him to stay focused during the bout. The win improved his record to 24-1(17) while Harrison's mark dropped to 30-5-1(22).

Smith's championship bout opponent will be Mexico's Gilberto Vasquez, who was awarded victory by disqualification against his compatriot and the tournament's #2 seed Jesus Carrillo. Vasquez had made a good start through the first five rounds and was leading on all three scorecards. In particular he had punished Carrillo in a whirlwind opening round, Vasquez coming out with destructive intent and planting a number of flush power punches on Carrillo's chin. It appeared that Carrillo was getting frustrated by both his inability to land a clean punch and Vasquez's contrasting ease in doing so. As round six approached its midpoint Carrillo unleashed a left hook that caught Vasquez way below the belt and sent him to the canvas in agony. After checking on Vasquez's condition referee Jose Cobian immediately disqualified Carrillo, who protested briefly before returning to his corner, shaking his head all the way. It was only the second loss in the former WBC junior-featherweight champion's career.

It took several minutes before Vasquez had recovered from the low blow, which television replays confirmed was an especially nasty one. His problems with the IBF during the past year have been heavily documented but despite the ongoing court case of that organisation's president Michael Jacobs they now appear to be the last thing on his mind. Vasquez will be fighting for a world title for the first time in his career come December 23 and he couldn't quite believe it when he was interviewed following his victory. The 26 year-old's record is now 28-2(19), Carrillo falling to 26-2-1(17) following his inexplicable brain explosion. After Juan Meza's exit from the tournament he had been installed as the new favourite but will now have to work hard to earn himself a title fight during the coming twelve months.

The evening started with no-nonsense victories in world ranking bouts to former championship tournament contenders Michael Schneider and Juan Meza. Germany's Schneider defeated the Englishman Dylan Price by unanimous decision before Meza stopped South Africa's Shaun Smith in round eight, flooring him three times along the way. Schneider is now 29-3-2(22) while Meza improved to 28-2-2(23). The former IBF junior-featherweight champion wore a surly expression during his time in the ring, as if he had still not shaken off his defeat at the hands of Solly Smith. There's no doubt Meza will be doing everything he can to secure a shot at the world title as quickly as possible once we enter 2007.

(#3) Vasquez DQ6 (#2) Carrillo
(#8) Smith UD12 (#4) Harrison

World Championship, 23 December...

(#3) Gilberto Vasquez (28-2(19)) vs (#8) Solly Smith (24-1(17))