British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental belt.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
