British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
