UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
