British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
