UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol the legend represented.
