UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
