British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
