UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
