UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
