UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
