British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
