DERRY boxer John Duddy captured the 18th victory of his career and with it became the IBA world middleweight champion in the early hours of Saturday morning. The judges handed him a unanimous victory over veteran Mexican and former world champion Luis Ramon 'Yori Boy' Campas (115-113, 117-111, 116-112) in New York's Madison Square Garden. At 27, it was the first time the unbeaten Duddy has gone 12 rounds and it is undoubtedly the biggest victory of his career as he continues his search for a shot at one of the more prestigious middleweight crowns.

Campas, 36 and a veteran of 96 pro fights, took the opening two rounds, but Duddy's more aggressive approach saw him come back into the contest, taking the fourth, fifth and sixth, However it was in the latter stages that Duddy excelled, rocking his opponent in the eighth and ninth rounds. By the finish there was no doubt who was going to take a vacant title.

Speaking after the fight Duddy's coach, Harry Keitt said: "John got cut over both eyes and he went to hospital to get some stitches but it ain't nothing serious and he is absolutely thrilled with this victory. This was definitely the toughest fight of his career and he handled it well and he will have learned enormously from this.

Keitt also admitted that he was disappointed with the referee after Duddy appeared to knock Campas down in the eighth round.