British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
