UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
