British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
