UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
