UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
