British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
