UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
