British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
