British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
