British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to win the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
