British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant 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 September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
