UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
