British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
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.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
