British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
