British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
