British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
