UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
