British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
