UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
