British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their idol the legend represented.
