UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout 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 constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for 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 faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
