UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
