UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
