UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
