UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
