UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive 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 seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges scored 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 win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
