UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
