British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
