UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the spectators.
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 twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 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, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
