UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
