British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
