UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
