UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their idol the legend represented.
