British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
