British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the continental championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
