UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
