British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
