UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
