British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
