British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing 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 close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their idol Hatton represented.
