Newz Forum: BOXING: Unbeaten welterweight Smith defends title

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) - Unbeaten welterweight Chris Smith defended his North American Boxing Association title Friday night, stopping Luis Hernandez in the 12th round.

Smith knocked Hernandez down in the second and ninth rounds. A ringside doctor stopped the fight with 29 seconds remaining after an exhausted Hernandez fell and rolled under the bottom rope and out of the ring, then climbed back in.

Hernandez's handlers objected, but Smith was leading on all three scorecards.

Smith (18-0-1), of New York, won the title two years ago. Hernandez (17-2), of Ecuador, lost a decision to unbeaten Paul Williams in his last fight.