UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career 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 majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
