British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
