British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
