British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
