UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
