UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
