UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
