UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
