British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down 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 Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
