UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring 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 what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
