UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas 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 shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
