UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
