UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
