UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
