British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental belt.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
