UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
