UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management 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 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
