Derry fighter John Duddy has won the vacant IBA middleweight title after a unanimous points decision over Yori Boy Campas in New York on Friday night.
The 27-year-old was at his defiant best as he overcame cuts to both of his eyes to secure his 18th straight victory.
"He was my toughest opponent - I hit him with everything but he just wouldn't go down," said Duddy.
"I was going for the knockout but he wouldn't fall. I never doubted that I was going to win the fight."
The judges at Madison Square Garden awarded Duddy, who is based in New York, the fight 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.
Campas, although 35, is still a noted knockout specialist and Duddy will gain much kudos for getting the better of the Mexican, whose eight previous defeats of a 97-fight run were all against world champions.
Connecting with 115 of his 367 power punches, Duddy was cut over his left eye early in the second round, and his right eye received the same treatment half-a-minute later.
Weathering Campas' storm and with his corner doing well to protect his cuts, Duddy went the 12 rounds to sweep to admittedly "the best win" of his three years in the pro ranks.
Duddy added: "The cuts come with the territory. The cut over the left eye was due to a punch, but I really thought the right eye was a butt, but it was not intentional."
Campas was irked by the performance of the officials.
"I'm surprised they didn't stop the fight because of the two cuts - I thought they were bad enough for him not to continue," the former IBF light middleweight champion insisted.
"I was even more surprised by the decision. Obviously, I thought I had won."
On the undercard, Arklow middleweight Jamie Moore, who is also based in the Big Apple, scored his seventh knockout victory in nine outings as he floored Puerta Rican Willie Cruz in the second round.