UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
