British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
