UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
