British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
