UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career 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 tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
