UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
