UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
