British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just 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 solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
