Paul Smith claimed the British super-middleweight title with a split points decision over local rival Tong Quigley in a brutal contest at Liverpool's Echo Arena on Friday night.

Judge Phil Edwards scored the bout 116-114 to Quigley, but Smith found favour with Howard Foster (116-113) and Ian John-Lewis (116-112).

Promoter Frank Warren promised the fervent crowd a rematch between the pair, whose bitter personal relationship had dominated the build up to the bout.

A cagey opening ensued as Smith looked to go to work on the inside, however the challenger's initial lack of head movement allowed Quigley to land a couple of telling jabs. Quigley continued a bright start in round two, landing cleanly with both hands and finding a rhythm.

At the beginning of round three referee Richie Davies warned both men about use of the head. Late in the round Quigley connected with an overhand right, followed by left hand which sunk Smith against the ropes in the neutral corner.

Smith imposed himself to a greater extent in round fourth and the fifth began with Quigley confidently landing his jab, but Smith responded with a left hook and straight right combination, which Quigley wore well before responding with a stiff uppercut of his own. The left hook continued to give Smith joy but he returned to his corner with a cut above his right eye following a clash of heads.

A quieter affair followed in round six, with Quigley looking far more impressive when he chose to fight from an orthodox stance.

Two left jabs followed by a punishing right from Smith backed Quigley into the ropes at the opening of the seventh stanza, and despite some sloppy defensive work, the challenger appeared to shade the round.

Round eight was a scrappy affair but Smith was again able to burrow in with chopping lefts to the head and body. The pace appeared to be taking its toll on Quigley but the champion rocked his opponent with a crunching right uppercut at close quarters in the closing stages.

A similar pattern emerged in the following three minutes, as referee Davies took exception to Quigley's holding. However, the champion was able to fight effectively in burst, pinning Smith on the ropes at close quarters on two occasions.

In round 10 the blood around Smith's right eye was becoming an issue. Quigley landed a right uppercut left hook combination, only for Smith to respond with a left of his own as head shots were landed more frequently.

Despite both fighters appearing to be blowing heavily, the frenetic pace continued in round 11. It was a blood and thunder affair as both men traded punishing head shots. Quigley earned a reprieve after Smith landed a low blow, and approached the final minute of a tight round with renewed vigour.

Smith finished the stronger as he punished the flagging champion with punishing right hooks, before spinning him round with a left. And it was the challenger who had his hand raised after 12 gruelling rounds to delight his supporters and send his rivals home disappointed.