British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
