British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
