British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
