UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
