UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
