British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
