UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
