UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
