British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
