UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
