Rey Vargas lost his head during his featherweight world title contest with British boxer Nick Ball and launched his gum shield into the crowd at one stage.
Ball promised an explosive performance against the defending champion, but the diminutive boxer got off to a slow start.
It wasn't until the seventh round when he started to cause the Mexican world champion real problems.
Vargas used his experience to get out of trouble on a few occasions as he took the tactically took the knee to the crowd's frustration.
Nick Ball knocked down Rey Vargas in the eighth round
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Ball sensed an opportunity heading into the eighth round and came out the blocks with a few strong overhand shots that connected well.
Vargas lost his legs a few times and then controversy came at the end of the eighth when Ball appeared to shove his opponent to the ground before landing a wild hook.
The referee ruled it a knockdown to the annoyance of the 33-year-old, who jumped up back to his feet as the count began.
Vargas's frustrations continued as the bell was sounded for the end of the round and he made his anger clear by spitting out his gum shield and punching it into the crowd.
Ball continued to pile the pressure on in the latter rounds and he knocked Vargas down again in the 11th round.
The Mexican boxer got back to his feet straightaway again, but that appeared to swing the fight into Ball's favour heading into the final round.
Vargas' fitness appeared shot in the 12th with Ball still on the front foot as he attempted to take his first world title.
The crowd appeared to be favouring towards a Ball victory as the final bell was rung with the Liverpudlian being lifted aloft by his corner.
However, controversy followed as it was called a split draw with Vargas keeping his WBC featherweight belt.
Nick Ball appeared to get under Rey Vargas' skin
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Ball was clearly upset at the decision and felt he did enough to win the fight.
He said: "I had two knockdowns and was putting the pressure on the whole fight. I was the aggressor, I thought I did enough to win it.
"It's a bit frustrating, but that's the way it is. I can't get angry, I have to stay focused.
"I knew I was at that level, it was just getting that opportunity to show it. I've shown that."
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Rey Vargas was not happy with the referee
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Frank Warren was in disbelief at the split decision and called on the WBC to order a rematch.
"He won that fight. We aren't cry babies, but he won the fight. Listen to the crowd. Did he win it or did he win it?" Warren said.
"I don't know what's going on. How is that a split? He had him down twice. He lost a few of the early rounds but he won the fight.
"I'm sure [the rematch] will get ordered by the WBC."
