UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
