British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
