UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
