British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental belt.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
