UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
