UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
