British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
