British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
