British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
