UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
