British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
