British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful 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 British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
