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 bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero the legend embodied.
