British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
