British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
