British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
