British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
