British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
