UNTIDY it may have been but Paul Smith’s split decision victory over Tony Quigley on Friday night was nonetheless a truly absorbing spectacle.
In a war of attrition, heart and city pride, Smith was given the nod to take the British Super-Middleweight title away from Quigley in his first defence since beating Tony Dodson in March.
Although the 6,000 fight fans, who packed out the Echo Arena to create an incendiary atmosphere befitting of the clash, were not afforded a reckless brawl some had hoped for, they were instead witness to a gruelling derby day battle which proved difficult to call.
Ringside judge Phil Edwards scored the bout in favour of the holder 116-114 but Howard Foster and Ian John-Lewis believed Smith to be the winner, carding scores of 116-113 and 116-112 respectively – that it came to a split verdict was telling of the fine lines which existed in the fight and testament to each boxer’s unrelenting desire to win.
The Daily Post scored the bout 116-113, also in the favour of Smith.
After all the pre-fight scuffles and verbal sparring, an olive branch of respect was handed out as the pair hugged in the middle of the ring after the final bell.
And too, the divided loyalties of the crowd came together in a standing ovation in appreciation of what both fighters had put on the line for their entertainment.
The hub of anticipation which descended on the Arena at around 10.30pm was impossible not to feel as the challenger entered the ring first to Deacon Blues ‘Real Gone Kid’ before Quigley was strode on with ‘You’ll never walk alone’ – the magnitude of the occasion hammered home.
The first few rounds were cagey, as Smith nor Quigley were willing to make the first significant attack.
Quigley took the first round, being the more aggressive boxer before Smith’s single shots landing cleanly enough in the second level.
Round three went to Quigley for his work to the body but four was shared with neither landing shots of any major significance – cheers from the crowd as their fighter advanced gave a false impression of the effectiveness of punches.
However rounds five through eight proved a purple patch for challenger Smith who would put himself three ahead on this scorecard – despite sustaining a cut to his eye.
Quigley, switch-hitting throughout, refused to abandon his policy as the aggressor and in round nine he brawled his way inside before using his jab to good effect in the tenth to go to work on the gash above Smith’s eye.
That the fight was finely balanced was not lost on the pair and round 11 exploded into the tear-up it threatened to be Smith and Quigley simply traded, but the ‘Real Gone Kid’ would edge it for the cleaner work once more.
And Smith would ensure he took home the British crown with eye-catching combinations in the final round to take the decision.
The fight may not have eclipsed Quigley-Dodson for drama but it has paved the way for Liverpool to re-establish itself as the home of British boxing.
Meanwhile in the other main attractions of the evening, Beijing goal medalist James DeGale saw off Penrith’s undefeated Ally Morrison inside the distance.
Fellow Olympian Frankie Gavin made light work of Walsall’s Steve Saville, scoring a TKO win at two minutes 32 seconds of the second round.
There were also wins for Michael Jennings against Laszlo Komjathi, Jamie Cox versus Manoo Salari and for Tobias Webb
