British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
