British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded 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 ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
