British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years 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 fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
