UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Encounter
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.
