British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their hero the legend represented.
