UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
