British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
