British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
