British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
