UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
