UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for 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 leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
