UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut 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 ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
