UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
