British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
