UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
