UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
