UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging 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, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
