British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
