British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, 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 fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
