British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
