UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
