British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
