British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
