British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.
