British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
