British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
