British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
