British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
