British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
