UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
