British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
