British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Win in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
