British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
