British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
