UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
