British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
