British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
