British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.
