British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
