UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their idol Hatton stood for.
