British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, 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 road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.
