UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
