British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters 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 tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
