British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds 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 only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
