British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
