Jose Pedraza defends junior lightweight title with unanimous decision against Stephen Smith

Puerto Rico's Jose "Sniper" Pedraza dropped England's Stephen Smith in the ninth round, the second time in his career Smith has been on the canvas, and Pedraza pulled away in the late rounds to defend his IBF junior lightweight title Saturday night on Showtime at the Foxwoods Resort at Mashantucket, Conn.

Pedraza landed 44% of his punches, connecting on 244 of 576 while using his quickness, movement and strong defense to keep Smith (23-2, 13 KOs) at bay, as the Liverpool native landed only 27% of his 647 total punches thrown.

The three judges scored it 117-110 and 116-111 twice for Pedraza. All three gave Pedraza the ninth, 10 and 11th rounds, which is where he pulled away.

Pedraza (22-0, 12 KOs) was coming off a tough, controversial split-decision win against Edner Cherry. But there was no controversy this time.

"It definitely was a tough fight but the training really came to our advantage in this fight," Pedraza said.

Pedraza never felt comfortably ahead, even after the ninth-round knockdown. "I knew the right hand hurt him but I knew he was a tough fighter and I was always aware that he didn't counter attack or something," Pedraza said. "We definitely prepared ourselves and it showed tonight."

(Photo of Pedraza, left, and Smith by Stephanie Trapp, Showtime)