UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
