British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
