British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
