Ryan claimed O'Meley's Australian Super Welterweight title, won in March, and the vacant IBO International Super Welterweight belt.

Promoter Rob Fogarty said it was one of the fights of the year in any division and O'Meley would lose no fans in going down to a quality fighter and an extremely close contest.

O'Meley suffered a cut above his eye in the second round, but continued to press Ryan despite needing treatment at the end of each round.

"I think both sides felt they had done enough to get the win. It was just such a tremendous and close fight," Fogarty said.

"It's a setback but not a major one for Troy as Wade is high on the rankings. He won't go backwards in the rankings.

"We will continue to push for quality fights and I will sit down with Troy and his team on Monday and discuss which way to go from here.

"It's his first loss but he will bounce back from this and become a better fighter. I haven't seen many boxers who are as committed to getting to the top as Troy is.

"He gets great support from his whole team in particular his dad Tony who is his trainer and had him set very well for this fight."

Fogarty said while O'Meley fought hard and never waivered he believed he had at least 40 per cent improvement in him.

"We sit down now let the cut above his eye heal up and learn the lessons from this fight," he said.

O'Meley had an 11 win, no loss record going into Saturday night's fight against Ryan.