British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, 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 fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
