British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
