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 the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
