British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
