UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their hero Hatton represented.
