British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero the legend represented.
