UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
