UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
