British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental belt.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.
