British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
