UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
