UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
