British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
