UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
