UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
