UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start 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 likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
