British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career 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 majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat 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, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
