British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the continental belt.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
