UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
