British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their idol the legend stood for.
