UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
