British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class 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 fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
