UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
