British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the continental championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
