UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
