UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.
