British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Match
His career development has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
