It was an intriguing battle between the Liverpool fighters Quigley (left) and Smith
Paul Smith Jr took the British super-middleweight title after beating Tony Quigley with a split decision over 12 bruising rounds in Liverpool.
Smith, 27, started off slowly against his fellow Liverpudlian but hit back strongly in the final three rounds to come through an enthralling encounter.
"There was a lot of local pride," Smith said. "Quigley's as strong as an ox but I am cut from different cloth."
Olympic gold medallist James DeGale and Frankie Gavin won on the same card.
The 25-year-old title holder Quigley said before the fight he was happy to be the "underdog" but remained confident after beating Tony Dodson over 12 rounds to win the title seven months ago.
At the beginning of round three referee Richie Davies warned both fighters about use of the head and later in the round Quigley connected with an overhand right, followed by a left hand which had Smith struggling against the ropes.
Smith improved over rounds four and five but the Commonwealth Games silver medallist from 2002 looked to be heading for defeat at the half-way stage with Quigley picking him off with a combination of upper-cuts and jabs.
In the 10th, blood around Smith's right eye was becoming problematic, but as the fight entered the 11th, a distance Smith had never gone before, Quigley looked tired and was hanging on hoping his earlier work had done enough to satisfy the judges.
Smith finished strongly as he punished the tiring champion with right hooks, before spinning him round with a left, and it was the challenger who held his hand up when the bell rang at the end of the 12th.
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).
Smith told BBC Radio Merseyside he believes he has silenced some of his critics with his victory.
"I saw a few articles on the internet about me and people say you never smile," he said.
"I don't smile because I'm never happy with my performances. I wasn't happy with my performance tonight but I'm British champion so the good points certainly outweigh the bad points."
Quigley acknowledged Smith as the worthy winner but was damning of his own performance.
"It just didn't happen on the night. My timing and distance was out. My right hands, my left hooks, everything wasn't landing," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"The only thing that was landing was the jabs. It was a poor performance by me but I still gave 100% and gave the crowd a decent fight to watch."
Promoter Frank Warren immediately promised the lively crowd a re-match between the Liverpool rivals, whose bitter personal relationship had dominated the build up to the bout.
Smith says he is open to the possibility of a rematch but is also eyeing a possible world title shot.
"I've always shown loyalty to Frank Warren and he's always shown loyalty to me and I trust him.
"If he wants to fill that arena out again then fine by all means. I'm number four by the WBO, very fortunately for me and the three above me are in the super six tournament so the next in line to fight for that title is me."
Earlier at the Echo Arena, DeGale made it four successive wins with a third-round stoppage victory over Ally Morrison.
It was another polished performance by the 23-year-old Londoner against the unbeaten novice, landing hard shots throughout before stepping up with a number of left hooks to bring about an early finish.
Former world amateur champion Gavin continued his perfect start to professional boxing with a second-round stoppage win over veteran Steve Saville.
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