UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
