UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the continental championship.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
