UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their idol the legend embodied.
