British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
