UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
