British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
