UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the continental championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
