British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Win in Slow Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
