British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
