British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
