UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing 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 tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit 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 participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton stood for.
