UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
