British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
