British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
