UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
