UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their idol the legend represented.
