British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.
