UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
