UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
