British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
