British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
