UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their idol the legend represented.
