UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
