British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their hero the legend embodied.
