British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
