British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
