British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, 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 moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
