UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
