British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
