British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches 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 decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
