UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
