UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
