UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted 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 began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
