UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
