British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
