British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
