British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
