UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental belt.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
