British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
