British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
