By Mark Vester
Ireland's John Duddy improved to 16-0 when he stopped Shelby Pudwill at 1:31 of the first round to win the vacant WBO Continental Americas middleweight title at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Duddy, 160 pounds, knocked down Pudwill three times Thursday night before referee Wayne Kelly stopped the bout - scheduled for 10 rounds - for the new champion's 14th knockout.
The loss for the 158 1/2-pound Pudwill, of Mandan, N.D., was his first in nine fights. He dropped to 21-3-1.
On the undercard:
Super middleweight James Moore (4-0, 3 KOs) stopped Jose Felix (9-3-2, 3 KOs) in three rounds
junior lightweight Maureen Shea (5-0) scored a four round decision over LeAnne Villarreal (1-6-1)
Heavyweight James Clancy (6-0) scored a four round decision over Mitchell Rose (2-10-1)
Super middleweight Joe Green (9-0, 7 KOs) decisioned Brian Norman (7-4, 2 KOs). Scores were 59-55, 58-56 and 55-54.
Super middleweight Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (3-0, 3 KOs) stopped Willie Cruz (3-6) in two rounds.
