UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
