British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
