British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.
