British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the continental belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
