UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
