British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
