British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the continental belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
