British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
