British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
