UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
