British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
