British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
