British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
