UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
