UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
