UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
