British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start 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 split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
