UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
