UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
