CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER -- Arnold Barboza relished the pre-fight boos and made sure to thank the crowd afterwards, having produced a career-best display in beating Jack Catterall via split decision, claiming the WBO interim junior-welterweight world title after an exhausting 12-round chess match.

Both celebrated at the final bell, believing they'd done enough but there could only be one winner. Barboza (31-0, 11 KOs), who struggled against another southpaw in Sean McComb two fights prior, hadn't ever gone the 12-round distance in 12 years as a pro. He certainly picked the right night to produce a patient, disciplined display.

The wait was agonising, a split decision (115-113, 113-115, 115-113) ultimately the answer to leave thousands underwhelmed in the North West of England as Matchroom's eight-fight card was streamed worldwide on DAZN.

Hearing the very pointed words "I just can't wait to be king," blared on the speakers as Catterall (30-2, 13 KOs) strolled to the ring was one thing. Being able to inflict a first defeat on the record of a world-level contender, three years after having his big moment extinguished against then-undisputed titleholder Josh Taylor, was another.

Catterall looked to get his jab going early, something Barboza needed to nullify, though the home favourite was more than happy boxing at his own tempo, so the Mexican-American needed to pick his moments when throwing caution to the wind.

A few flurries, all while trying to stay out of counter-punching range, gave Catterall something to ponder through three minutes but as time wore on, you could see why many of the world's best aren't exactly keen to fight the Chorley southpaw.

Maintaining patience while keeping your defensive shape and picking the right punch without conceding ground is an exhausting task and Barboza, who boasted height and reach advantages, couldn't afford a mishap. It wasn't easy, but he didn't.

In the final minute of an intriguing third, he landed three long left hands with Catterall pinned in the corner momentarily. Another shot to the chest and a nicely-placed left were among the noteworthy punches as you could see the 31-year-old's right eye turning a cherry red, the underdog's best stanza to date.

Catterall responded with a good start in the fourth, one of many rounds that ebbed and flowed as concentration had to be heightened, knowing what was at stake.

The home fighter has always been comfortable boxing backwards but here needed to circle and stay off the ropes, Barboza catching him clean - could he hold his feet and trade fire, or remain elusive and avoid the older man's best punches?

The fifth was closely-contested, both enjoying periods of success in a round that could've easily been decided by the cleaner work in the final 20 seconds.

Catterall was twice warned for illegal fouls halfway through the sixth and landed a crowd-pleasing sharp counter, before delaying his follow-up and absorbing two in response moments later. This was a theme, leading Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn to suggest he left a little in the tank at the final bell, even with razor-close scores.

Barboza couldn't help himself, raising an arm aloft in acknowledgement after landing the round's best punch in the final seconds and as they headed into the seventh, this remained on a knife edge with Catterall's fans noticeably tense after seeing their man eat one jab too many.

Catterall curled a hook that put Barboza on the swivel momentarily, before the young man's damage-inducing four-punch combo was swiftly dismissed by referee Steve Gray after he very clearly landed low with the first shot in a fiery flurry.

Just as he did in the previous round, Barboza ended the stanza on top - briefly staggering Catterall - and a sense of deja vu unfolded as the 33-year-old waved his hand aloft in celebration heading into the corner again.

Barboza was visibly unimpressed after Catterall again went low downstairs in the eighth, the official's authoritative hand wasn't enough to deter that method of attack during a round the home favourite countered well off the back foot.

Into the final third of this twelve-round chess match they went, Barboza's work muddied in a better Catterall round. More willing to hold position and probe behind the jab, a thudding left hand was his best punch.

Barboza landed a beautiful one-two with just under 90 seconds left in another intriguing stanza, tiny margins likely deciding the bulk of these rounds as far as the judges were concerned where a three-punch flurry followed it.

A faux knockdown came to finish the tenth, Barboza off-balance and tripped by Catterall, you could tell by his vehement protestations that something had gone awry, Gray quickly agreeing with him and signalling a stop to the count.

Barboza landed a nice right a minute into the penultimate round, simultaneously doing his best to maintain balance and insist it was of his own doing, not Catterall's pressure, smiling on unsteady legs as the crowd stirred in anticipation.

The final frame was, as you'd expect, awfully tense with both aware they needed to win it and finish strong. Barboza's sharp output continued making Catterall second-guess himself, starting and finishing exchanges against the home hopeful and most importantly having the final say in a tactical shootout where the right man prevailed.

Catterall refused to make excuses ringside: "A tricky, close fight but no arguments, congratulations to Arnold, thought I'd just done enough but wasn't good enough, hope he can beat Teo and it's straight back to the gym for me, I'll be back. Have a little rest, speak to Eddie and Sam [Jones, his manager], then straight back to it."

Barboza made sure to thank God, promoter Oscar de la Hoya, his manager Rick Mirigian and father Snr who "doesn't get his flowers," as he prepares to travel home as an interim world champion. As for what won him the fight and what's next?

"Honestly, I didn't have it that close but it's his backyard, since I was little, didn't care about fitting in, just wanted respect and I've got that today. Hopefully you follow me and I can take some fans. Anyone can get it!"

British, Commonwealth super-featherweight titles: Reece Bellotti TKO10 Michael Gomez Jnr (0:01)

Welterweight: Pat McCormack TKO6 Robbie Davies Jnr (3:00)

Super-featherweight: Jazza Dickens UD10 Zelfa Barrett (97-93, 97-93, 96-94)

Light-heavyweight: Conner Tudsbury TKO2 Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano (2:01)

Junior-middleweight: William Crolla TKO1 Ayoub Zakari (2:43)

Lightweight: Aqib Fiaz TKO3 Lydon Chircop (2:00)

Featherweight: Alfie Middlemiss UD4 Caine Singh (40-37)