Shawn Porter dethroned International Boxing Federation champ Devon Alexander late on Saturday, winning the world welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision.
Porter kept his undefeated record intact, improving to 23-0-1 as he took the fight to Alexander to win on scores of 115-113 116-112 116-112.
"We worked hard and it came through in the ring," Porter said. "We made it look easy."
The 26-year-old Porter connected on several hard shots in rounds three and four against the fellow American, and impressed the judges with his consistent work ethic.
Porter was making the first title shot of his career at the Barclays Center arena.
Alexander won the IBF title by beating Randall Bailey in a 12-round bout on October 2012.
Alexander said he lost his focus and couldn't take advantage of Porter's weaknesses.
"I am disappointed," Alexander said. "I didn't follow the game plan as much as I should have.
"He was rushing in and I didn't capitalise on that."
In a non-title fight between Brooklyn hometown heroes, former two-time world champ Paulie Malignaggi scored a unanimous decision over fellow American Zab Judah.
Malignaggi won the welterweight fight between the ex-world champions on all three judges scorecards, 116-111 117-110 117-110.
Judah, who was cut over the left eye in round three, was credited with a knockdown in round two.
Meanwhile Cuban dynamo Guillermo Rigondeaux retained his World Boxing Association super bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Joseph Agbeko on Saturday in Atlantic City.
Rigondeaux scored a dominating win over the challenger as all three judges at the Boardwalk Hall scored the fight 120-108 in his favour.
"Every time I fight I try to improve but he was a tough rival," said Rigondeaux, who is now 13-0 with eight knockouts. "I am improving every day and I am showing it each fight."
Former two-time champ Agbeko (29-5) has lost three of his last four fights.
It marked Rigondeaux's first fight since his dominating victory earlier this year over Nonito Donaire.
Asked after the fight if he would welcome a rematch with Donaire, Rigondeaux said he looks forward to it.
"Nonito is a poor man. He is traumatised after the beating I gave him.
"If he wants another beating tell him to come and get it. I am number oNe."
The 33-year-old Rigondeaux easily defeated Donaire by a unanimous decision in April.
Rigondeaux fashioned a superb amateur career that included 400 wins and just 12 losses. As a professional, he compiled an undefeated record with the help of his superb counter-punching and defensive skills.
