UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
