British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton represented.
