British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
