British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
