UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
