UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
