Judges Howard Foster and Phil Edwards both had the fight close. The former going for Smith, 116-113, while Edwards saw Quigley as the winner via a 116-114 score. And while Ian John-Lewis’ deciding vote, 116-112 in favour of Smith, was worryingly out of context, the decision was warmly accepted. Smith continued: “I believe I was thinking too much in there. “It didn’t bother me that he kept switching to southpaw as I spent an awful lot of time sparring with southpaws over in the States, but I guess it did throw me off a little. “Don’t get me wrong, I know how good a boxer Tony Quigley can be. That’s why I had to get him to fight my kind of fight. “That’s why there was a lot of animosity in the build-up. I can’t fight someone I like, that’s why my brothers beat me up in sparring. I had to make this personal and make him stand and fight. “But there was no malice in the fight itself. The low blow I hit him with was a total accident. At the end of the day this is a sport and we’re both professionals. “But like Tony said, our styles never totally gelled. There was too much work on the inside and I just couldn’t get the room to really get my shots off. “But my heart and my fitness got me through in the end.” Quigley added: “We were both looking to land the same shot, the overhand right, and that’s what made it look bad. That’s why the heads were going in a lot too. “But I gave it 100% again, like I did last time. It was my night against (Tony) Dodson in March and maybe it was just Paul’s night tonight. “But I proved again that I have a champion’s heart. I took some big shots and came back to land some big shots of my own. That’s just my style. “I’ve been in with two big punchers now and I have won one and now lost one. That’s boxing for you, but I will be back.” Smith concluded: “I just want to have a nice break now and simply enjoy being the champion.” Promoter Warren concluded: “It was a great night for Liverpool boxing, although the main event was a little tense. “But I am delighted for Paul. I went out and won the purse bids for this fight so he could headline a show here in his home town and he produced the goods when it mattered most. “Again I would like to praise Tony Quigley for his incredible effort. To fight at that level after just 15 fights is remarkable and this decision was close. “Maybe we will have a rematch after this but they both deserve a rest first.” | 
