UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
