UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated 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 the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their idol the legend represented.
