British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero the legend stood for.
