British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
