British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
