UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
