UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
