UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
