UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
