British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
