UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
