UK 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 Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions 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 twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
