British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
