British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.
