UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
