British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
