UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
