British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
