British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
