British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
