British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
