British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, 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 Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
