British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their hero the legend embodied.
