UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
