UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
