UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
