British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
