UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the continental belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
