British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a chant of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
