Nieves and Young battle to draw

Andre ward came back after a 19-month layoff to batter Paul Smith and score a 9th round stoppage at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

Smith was cut above his right eye in round eight. In round nine, Ward started batter Smith to the point where his face was a bloody mess and the fight was stopped at 1:46 of round nine.

Ward, 171 3/4 lbs of Oakland, CA is now 28-0 with 15 knockouts. Smith, who came in 4 1/2 lbs over the 172 pound weight limit at 176 1/2 lbs is no 35-6.

Ward outlanded Smith 231-47.

Undefeated Jr. Featherweights Antonio Nieves and Stephon Young battled to an 8-round split draw.

Nieves won a card 77-75. Young took a card 78-74 and a thired card read even at 76-76.

Young, 122 3/4 lbs of St. Louis is 13-0-2. Nieves, 120 1/2 lbs of Cleveland is 12-0-1.