British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
