British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
