British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
