UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
