British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero the legend represented.
