British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
