British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
