British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the continental belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend stood for.
