UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
