UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental belt.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional 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 traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero the legend represented.
