British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
