British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
