British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
