British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
