British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
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 making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the continental belt.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
