Joshua Buatsi recorded a points win over Zach Parker in a 10-round light-heavyweight contest at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, delivering a narrow majority decision as he began his tenure with new promoters, Queensberry.
Two judges scored the fight 96-94 in favour of Buatsi, while the third had it 95-95, handing the London-based former Olympic bronze medallist his 20th professional victory.
The bout was marked by a low punch output and frequent clinches that disrupted momentum on both sides. Buatsi's higher work-rate and cleaner exchanges appeared to sway the judges, but Parker landed several telling single shots and finished the later rounds strongly. The styles did not fully complement each other, and repeated holding drew frustration from the crowd.
In the ring after the decision, Buatsi said: "It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," as parts of the audience responded with boos.
The victory ended a run of inactivity and promotional uncertainty that has affected Buatsi in recent years. He returned to the win column after his first professional loss to Callum Smith in February.
Promoter Frank Warren has suggested Buatsi could be matched with the winner of the WBC world-title fight between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde, scheduled for 22 November in Saudi Arabia. Buatsi said: "I'll be watching. I'll have a few weeks off but I'll make sure I'm ready."
Earlier on the card, the arena observed a poignant moment of silence and a 10-bell tribute to Manchester boxing icon Ricky Hatton, who died in September at the age of 46. The hush was followed by a vocal outpouring from the crowd, with chants of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split decision to capture the European light-heavyweight title in a bruising 12-round encounter.
The event in Manchester produced a narrow, workmanlike main event win for Buatsi as he settles into new promotional arrangements, and a spirited all-Manchester main-support bout that paid tribute to a local hero while delivering intense action inside the ring.