UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
