British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career 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 competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
