UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
