British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
