UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, 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 leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
