British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton represented.
