British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
