UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.
