UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
