British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their idol the legend stood for.
