British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
