British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
