British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner 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, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
