UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
