British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
