UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
