British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
