UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
