British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial 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 competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
