UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
