British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed 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 realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
